Family seeks answers after kin drowns in Lake Nakuru

By  Mercy Koskei

Correspondent

For the past 18 months, Elijah Kagucia, a resident of Nyamarutu Estate in Nakuru East, has fished in Lake Nakuru National Park to support his young family after losing his job.

However, on November 7, the 23-year-old disappeared after reportedly jumping into the water while fleeing Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers who were on patrol.

His body was retrieved on Wednesday evening, five days after he went missing, bringing to an end an agonising search by his family and fellow fishermen.

His mother, Ms Lucy Wanjiru, said her son left home that evening after attending a relative’s burial, telling her he was heading to the lake and would return.

She said Kagucia normally returned home at around 5.30am, but his failure to show up the following morning raised the alarm.

After unsuccessful attempts to establish his whereabouts, the family reported him missing at Bondeni Police Station on Monday and were later referred to Mwariki Police Station.

It was at the station that the family learnt Kagucia had drowned and were referred to Lake Nakuru to join the search.

Ms Wanjiru said they arrived too late to conduct a search and were asked by KWS officers to return the following day.

The search on Tuesday yielded no results. However, on Wednesday, KWS officers and fellow fishermen eventually located and retrieved his body before it was taken to Nakuru City Mortuary.

Still struggling to come to terms with the loss, Ms Wanjiru said her son was hardworking and had been supporting his siblings while also pursuing his music career.

“When the body was retrieved, I noticed he had injuries which he did not have when he left. I just want justice for my son. We have lost our children in that lake and the number is increasing every day. As a parent, it is painful to watch our children disappear and later be found dead. If they are not killed, they are beaten badly by the officers,” she said.

His younger sister, Ms Jane Nyokabi, said their last conversation was on Friday when Kagucia called requesting to borrow Sh200.

She said she did not have the money at the time but promised to give it to him the following day. However, his phone remained switched off.

Ms Nyokabi, who was away visiting their grandparents, recalled that before ending the call, her brother unusually asked her to greet their grandmother.

“That was our last conversation. He told me bye, which was unusual. His phone then went off. I keep wondering whether things could have been different if I had given him the money. He was my best friend, and we shared everything. He knew my secrets and was also supporting my child. I do not know how things will be without him,” she said.

His wife, Ms Eunice Dana, said she was away visiting her parents when her husband left for the lake.

She recalled speaking to him at around 6pm before he excused himself, promising to call back later. However, he never did, and his phone remained switched off when she tried reaching him at around 6am the following day.

According to Ms Dana, after failing to reach him, she contacted his cousin, who informed her that Kagucia had not returned home.

Ms Dana said she later spoke to Kagucia’s friend, who had been with him that night, to enquire about his whereabouts. The friend told her that he had been arrested but her husband had evaded arrest by jumping into the water.

“We have been together for four years, and he was our provider. I asked why they did not go back to look for him, but I was told they had been instructed to lie down in the boat by the KWS officers, leaving them with no option,” she said.

His friend, Mr Josiah Deman, said the two had fished together for nearly two years after Kagucia joined him at the lake.

He recalled that on the night Kagucia went missing, his friend passed by his house, as they usually travelled to the lake together. However, that day, he excused himself from going because his eyes were not feeling well.

He said he had also warned Kagucia against venturing into the lake, claiming he had received information that KWS officers had laid an ambush for fishermen.

Despite the warning, Kagucia insisted on going, saying he needed money.

Mr Deman said he contacted another friend and informed him that he would not be joining them, leaving Kagucia to proceed with the other fishermen.

He later learnt that Kagucia had disappeared at around midnight after spotting officers on patrol and jumping into the water in an attempt to evade arrest.

Mr Deman said he was initially not alarmed because he knew his friend could swim and expected him to find his way back.

However, his continued absence on Sunday prompted him to join the search, where other fishermen informed him that Kagucia had drowned.

According to Mr Deman, Kagucia drowned after becoming entangled in a fishing net.

“Our last conversation was me trying to advise him because things were not good at the lake. I told him we should take a break for one week before returning. KWS officers had ambushed us many times. It is painful that we have lost him. We want to thank KWS for helping us retrieve his body after days of search. He will now be buried rather than us being told that his body was never recovered,” he said.

Mr Deman described Kagucia as a hardworking young man who was passionate about music and had released several songs alongside his fishing activities.

His uncle, Mr Samuel Kimani, called on the government to issue clear communication on fishing regulations, saying residents had been left confused following the Cabinet Secretary's directive, even as young people continued to die.

According to a police report, Kagucia entered the park at around 9pm through a fence with his friend, John Maina, leaving another friend at the fence.

Kagucia, who was dressed in a black jacket and grey trousers, jumped into the lake after spotting KWS officers riding in a boat.

Lake Nakuru National Park Assistant Director Martin Omondi confirmed the incident, noting that they initially received the information from the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Mwariki Police Station.

He, however, maintained that fishing in the lake is prohibited because it is within a protected area.

He urged residents to avoid accessing the lake to fish, saying they risk wildlife attacks and unpredictable waves that could endanger their lives.

"We were able to support the family with the search and they were able to find their kin. We are requesting the community to avoid fishing in the lake since it is within a protected area and it is also not fit for human consumption," he said.

Last month, Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho declared that he had issued licences to locals to engage in fishing.

According to KWS, more than 20 people had drowned in the lake while fishing as of October 2026.

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