Brian Odhiambo's family wants state to open inquest into disappearance

Human Rights Activist and the wife of a fisherman who disappeared a month ago in the custody of Kenya Wildlife(KWS) officers want the court to compel the state to open an inquest file.

Vocal Africa director Khalid Hussein and Brian Odhiambo’s wife Alvy Okello filed the application certified urgently before Nakuru Principal Magistrate Vincent Adet.

Hussein and Okello want the court to direct an inquest to be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Odhiambo who disappeared in the custody of the KWS officers.

The duo sued the Director of Public Prosecution, Inspector of Police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and in charge of KWS Lake Nakuru National Park.

“There is an urgent need for an inquest to establish the circumstances of his disappearance and ensure justice is served,” read the application.

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The family through lawyer Abuya Mogendi wants KWS ordered to produce all the available evidence, including CCTV footage, call logs, and car tracking for KWS vehicles between January 18, 2025, and January 25.

Mogendi indicated that Odhiambo was last seen in the custody of KWS officers at the Lake Nakuru National Park.

His whereabouts remain unknown despite numerous efforts by his family and human rights activist organizations to trace him.

Odhiambo, a member of the fisher folk community is said to be last seen on January 18.

It is alleged that Odhiambo was accosted and taken into custody by KWS officers at Lake Nakuru.

The applicants noted despite a habeas corpus application previously prosecuted before the High Court in Nakuru, which established that the in-charge of Lake Nakuru did not have Odhiambo in Custody.

“Continued inaction and failure of the respondents to provide credible explanations regarding his disappearance raises serious concerns about possible state involvement or cover-up,” Mogendi added.

Principal Magistrate Adet certified the application as urgent.

“The applicant do serve the application upon the respondents and file an affidavit of the service, upon service the respondent do file and serve its response,” the court directed.

The case will be mentioned on February 26 for direction.