Uproar Over Lake Nakuru National Park ‘No Free Entry’ Directive

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has come under sharp criticism after announcing that Lake Nakuru National Park would not be part of the much-publicized free-entry initiative planned for Saturday, 27th September 2025.

The move has sparked widespread outrage just hours before the World Tourism Day celebrations.

KWS had initially included Lake Nakuru among the list of parks set to offer free access to Kenyan citizens in a notice dated 23rd September 2025. However, in a sudden reversal issued on the evening of Friday, 26th September, the agency excluded the park without providing a specific reason.

“The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park, tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025,” the statement read.

KWS clarified that only visitors with prepaid eCitizen tickets would be allowed access to the park via the Nderit Gate between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, while the more commonly used Lake Nakuru Main Gate (flamingo area) and Lanet Gate would remain closed for the day.

Meanwhile, all other KWS-managed National Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries — including popular destinations like Amboseli, Hell’s Gate, and Chyulu Hills — remain open and accessible to Kenyan citizens at no cost.

Also Read: KWS Lists 34 Parks and Reserves for Free Entry, Issues Guidelines [Full List]

“The public is further advised that all other KWS-managed National Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries across the country shall remain open and accessible tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025, under the free entry initiative for Kenyan citizens,” KWS added.

Despite the general excitement surrounding the free-entry program, the exclusion of Lake Nakuru National Park ignited an uproar across social media platforms, with many accusing KWS of acting in bad faith.

Brian Odhiambo’s death

While KWS has remained silent on the rationale behind excluding Lake Nakuru from the free-entry list, many Kenyans have reacted, noting that the park has been the focal point of public outrage following the mysterious death of 31-year-old fisherman Brian Odhiambo earlier this year.

Odhiambo went missing on January 18, 2025, after being arrested by KWS rangers for illegal fishing inside the park.

Witnesses claim he was beaten unconscious near the Vietnam area and loaded into a KWS vehicle. He was never booked at Bondeni Police Station, unlike others arrested that day. His body was recovered from the lake a month later, raising allegations of a cover-up.

Six KWS rangers — Francis Wachira, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahman Suli — were interdicted and charged with abduction. They have denied involvement in his death.

Court testimony from fellow fishermen indicated Odhiambo was unresponsive while still in the custody of the rangers. KWS officers claimed he had escaped, but locals never accepted the explanation.

Backlash after KWS announcement

The announcement by KWS has triggered widespread condemnation from Kenyans online, many of whom had already made travel arrangements in anticipation of the free entry. Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid challenged KWS to come clean on its change of tune on the Lake Nakuru National Park. 

“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 had gone back on its word for free entry and said there would be no free entry at Lake Nakuru National Park,” the activist noted.  

Robert Njang’iru, an aggrieved X user, questioned the timing of the decision:

“How can you give such an update a few hours to World Tourism Day? Who will compensate for the cancellations now that many Kenyans have taken advantage of the free entry to book for Game Drives?”

Lauryn Boke also demanded an explanation for the apparent singling out of Nakuru: “Why is this the only national park with no free entry?”

“Why would you deny people the access to a park while other counties will be going for free? What are you hiding? Access there should not be denied,” Mary Michael said.

Dennis Chege oh his part tied the sudden change to a more sinister motive:

“They have excluded Nakuru because of missing bodies inside the park. KWS wardens have been accused of killing young people who are found fishing inside the lake. The families said they will go inside and search.”

Another user, Wariara, simply asked:

“If you have nothing to hide, what’s the problem of having people over?”

Also Read: Brian Odhiambo’s Wife, Mother and Brother Arrested Outside Lake Nakuru

The sentiment was echoed by others who accused KWS of denying Nakuru residents a fair opportunity to enjoy their national heritage.

“You have failed Kenyans. @KWSKenya Why would you deny the residents of Nakuru and its environs the chance to explore the park? What’s your excuse??”

Protests

Brian Odhiambo’s death sparked violent protests in January 2025, during which sections of the park fence were torched and residents demanded justice. Allegations of KWS brutality against local fishermen have since escalated, with accusations of excessive force in enforcing the fishing ban inside the park.

The family of Brian Odhiambo had called on Kenyans to use the free-entry day to join them in combing the park for any further evidence linked to their son’s death.

“When you come to Nakuru on the 27th, come in large numbers to help us look for our son,” Odhiambo’s mother said in a widely shared video posted online earlier in the week.

The last-minute cancellation by KWS has now raised suspicions that the move was strategically timed to prevent renewed public scrutiny or spontaneous demonstrations inside the park.

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