Beneath the serenity of Manyani village, where fisherman Brian Odhiambo was brought up, a dark cloud slowly gathers.
Nineteen days after Brian’s disappearance, allegedly at the hands of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers from the Lake Nakuru National Park, hope of finding him slowly fades, with every passing minute.
This family, that has searched for him far and wide since the 18th of January says all efforts to try and trace him have been futile.
“Nimetafuta kila mahali sijamuona. Jana tulikua Elbergon kuangalia kwa mortuary. Tuliitwa kuwa kuna miili tatu huko imepatikana, hatukupata Brian huko. Kufikia hapo, sasa tumemuachia mungu tunajua atatenda na anaweza,” says Brian’s mother Elizabeth Auma.
Brian’s wife Alvy Okello says, “tangu Brian achukuliwe sisi wote hakuna kitu tumeweza kufanya. Mimi sijawahi enda kazi na hata mama Brian hajaenda biashara zake. Job yetu tu imekua kutafuta Brayo na hatujapata anything. Watoto wanauliza babayao ako wapi lakini sina cha kuwaambia.”
The anticipated ruling by Magistrate Julius Nangea on Thursday on whether security agencies had a hand in Odhiambo’s disappearance perhaps the only remaining shred of hope they cling on to hoping they will find answers on the whereabouts of their kin in the corridors of justice.
“Tunangonjea kurudi court kesho, hakuna chochote tumesikia, tumemtafuta tumetega maskio kila pahali hatusikii chochote, sasa kwenye imefika tumemuachia mungu na court itupiganie,” adds Brian’s mother.
Brian’s disappearance sparked outrage in the Kivumbini area of Nakuru withlocals holding protests for eight days. It left in its wake a trail of destruction, as well as loss of life.
Meanwhile, metres from Brian’s home, the family of Mercy Wanja mourns. Their last-born daughter was rushed to hospital on Sunday, after developing complications after being hit by a teargas canister on Thursday, only to pass on Tuesday.
