The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations has ordered an immediate stop to all fishing activities at Lake Nakuru, following allegations of forced disappearances of young fishermen.
The directive was issued by Committee Chairperson Fatuma Dullo during a meeting held on Tuesday with officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and petitioners who raised concerns about alleged abuses within Lake Nakuru National Park.
“Any fishing at Lake Nakuru must stop immediately. KWS must ensure that there is no fishing taking place at the Lake. If, based on the submissions here, Nakuru fish were declared unfit for human consumption, why are people being allowed to fish and supply the condemned fish to markets? This must stop today,” Senator Dullo directed.
The petition, filed by Gaplink International, calls on the Senate to investigate the reported disappearances and provide concrete recommendations.
The group is seeking a thorough probe into alleged incidents, including any involvement of KWS officers, and has urged measures to strengthen community engagement, safeguard human rights, and review KWS operational protocols.
According to the petitioners, local residents who rely on fishing for their livelihoods have faced intimidation and violence from KWS officers.
Gaplink International representatives, Tom Mboya and Peter Mbae, claimed that fishing continues despite the ban, raising serious concerns about enforcement and accountability.
Responding to the allegations, KWS Director General Erustus Kanga dismissed claims of human rights violations.
“KWS remains open to engaging with any specific, documented complaints that may be submitted through the appropriate channels. We have not received any formal reports, complaints, or administrative notifications of forced disappearances of young fishermen at Lake Nakuru National Park,” Kanga said.
Reinforcing the Committee’s directive, Senator Dullo urged petitioners to provide further evidence supporting their claims.
She emphasised that the halt on fishing would remain in place until a comprehensive review is completed.
The Senate Committee pledged to expand its inquiry by involving key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the County Government of Nakuru, and the Kenya Fisheries Service.
The committee aims to compile a detailed report with actionable recommendations for both regulatory and community interventions.
Other senators present at the meeting included Tom Ojienda, Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Okongo Mogeni, Abdul Haji, Edwin Sifuna, and Joseph Githuku.
The Senate’s move signals heightened oversight on human rights and environmental compliance within Lake Nakuru National Park, balancing conservation priorities with the protection of community livelihoods.
