Nakuru County descended into chaos as protests over the mysterious disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo escalated on Thursday. The demonstrations, now in their fifth day, have sparked violent confrontations between residents and law enforcement, leaving the town grappling with unrest and destruction.
Odhiambo, a resident of Nakuru, was last seen on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Witnesses allege that he was roughed up and whisked away by individuals believed to be state agency officials. Despite assurances from authorities, his whereabouts remain unknown, fueling anger among locals. Police confirmed that 13 officers have been interrogated, and a file on the case is being prepared for submission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Thursday, protests reached a fever pitch, with residents staging demonstrations in Nakuru Town East, demanding Odhiambo’s immediate release. The unrest escalated as protesters set parts of Lake Nakuru National Park ablaze, accessed through the Langa Langa 46 area. In response, Kenya Wildlife Service officers and anti-riot police units sought reinforcements from neighboring sub-counties.
The use of live ammunition and tear gas by law enforcement has drawn criticism from local leaders and human rights activists. Students from Kimathi Secondary School were caught in the crossfire, with several rushed to the hospital after suffocating from the teargas. The heavy-handed response has deepened tensions in the area, with activists decrying the sluggish progress of police investigations.
Regional police commander Jasper Ombati called for calm, assuring the public that experts were handling the matter. However, his plea did little to quell the unrest as protests extended to other parts of Nakuru, including the YMCA area.
Meanwhile, another incident further stoked anger. Eliud Ochieng, 32, was shot in the lower part of his left leg along Kisumu Ndogo area near the National Park. Ochieng is currently admitted to a local hospital as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The situation in Nakuru highlights growing frustrations among residents over issues of forced disappearances and excessive use of force by security agencies. As the protests continue, calls for accountability and justice grow louder, with locals urging authorities to expedite investigations and address systemic issues fueling the unrest.
The chaos in Nakuru reflects broader challenges in balancing security operations and human rights, as both residents and law enforcement grapple with the fallout of the ongoing crisis.
