- KWS cancels free entry to Lake Nakuru Park hours before World Tourism Day.
- Only prepaid visitors with eCitizen tickets are allowed at Nderit Gate.
- Other parks remain open under the free-access program.
- Public anger is tied to the unresolved death of fisherman Brian Odhiambo.
- Kenyans accuse KWS of hiding the truth and acting in bad faith.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has sparked outrage after reversing its earlier decision to allow Kenyans free access to Lake Nakuru National Park.
In a notice issued on September 23, KWS had listed the park among those to be accessed without charge on Saturday, September 27, 2025. But in a last-minute communication on Friday evening, the agency withdrew Nakuru from the program without giving a reason.
The new statement read:
“The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park, tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025.”
KWS clarified that only visitors with prepaid eCitizen tickets would be allowed through the Nderit Gate between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. The main Flamingo Gate and the Lanet Gate would remain closed for the day.
Meanwhile, all other KWS-managed parks and reserves, including Amboseli, Hell’s Gate, and Chyulu Hills, will admit Kenyan citizens for free under the World Tourism Day initiative.
The exclusion of Nakuru has fueled speculation because of an ongoing case involving the death of fisherman Brian Odhiambo.
Odhiambo, 31, disappeared in January 2025 after being arrested by KWS rangers for alleged illegal fishing. Witnesses said he was beaten unconscious near the Vietnam area of the park and taken away in a KWS vehicle.
His body was later retrieved from the lake, sparking accusations of torture and a cover-up. Six rangers, Francis Wachira, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahman Suli were interdicted and charged with abduction but denied wrongdoing.
Court testimony suggested Odhiambo never regained consciousness after the arrest, but KWS insisted he had escaped custody. Locals rejected that explanation.
The sudden cancellation drew harsh criticism online, with many Kenyans saying they had already booked game drives and travel in anticipation of the free-entry event.
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid questioned the move:
“KWS announced free entry to all parks on Saturday, the 27th, and the family of Brian Odhiambo announced they’ll use the free entry to go search for Brian at Lake Nakuru National Park. Now KWS has gone back on its word.”
Several Kenyans on X accused KWS of trying to block public scrutiny. Others demanded to know why Nakuru alone was excluded while other counties were enjoying free entry.
Odhiambo’s death had already triggered violent protests in January 2025, during which parts of the park’s fence were burnt down. Locals accused KWS of brutality and heavy-handed tactics against fishermen.
Odhiambo’s family had urged Kenyans to join them in combing the park for clues on the free-entry day. His mother had released a widely shared video pleading for support.
The cancellation, coming just hours before World Tourism Day, has now deepened suspicion that KWS acted to avoid renewed protests and pressure over the unresolved death.
