Emotions ran high at the Nakuru High Court as the family of the missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo broke down in tears after the six Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers accused of abducting him months ago were granted bail.
Elizabeth Auma, Odhiambo’s mother, broke down in tears outside the court shortly after Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion delivered a ruling releasing the KWS officers.
The six were charged with the alleged abduction on January 18th this year at Lake Nakuru National Park.
“In the end, I give the direction that each accused person is admitted to a bond of 300,000 shillings or cash bail of 100,000 shillings,” said Justice Kibellion.
The six, who had been detained at Nakuru GK Prisons for seven days, are Francis Gachoki, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Odhiambo, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahman Ali Sudi.
According to the Principal Magistrate, there was insufficient evidence to continue holding them.
The suspects have however been released under strict conditions; Justice Kibellion stated, “The accused persons are prohibited from making contact with the prosecution or witnesses, during the case, they are not allowed to visit the scene of crime.”
The family says that the court decision to release the suspects has left them at a crossroads as the only leads in the case are walking scot-free.
“Tunaipinga kuwa Mama Brian alipeleka kortini affidavit kuwa kuna mtu alitaka kumpa pesa ndio kesi izame. Mahakama imetupilia mbali affidavit na ikatoa uamuzi na tuko na mpango wa kukata rufaa,” the family’s lawyer, Kipkoech Ng’etich, said.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid added: “The ruling makes us wonder if the judicial service is in touch with the reality, it’s almost four months since Brian’s mother saw her son, yet the suspects have been released one week after being in custody.”
The case will be heard on May 19. The Principal Magistrate directed that the case be treated as a priority.
