Fishermen and women living along the shores of Lake Nakuru have alleged that Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers have exposed the underbelly of brutality and rape inflicted on those caught trespassing into the game park.
Two victims who spoke out on Wednesday revealed a trail of harrowing tales of sexual assault on women venturing into the park to fish and help ferry the fish. Fishing in Lake Nakuru is prohibited, and KWS is tasked with enforcing this ban.
One of the women, who spoke with NTV on the condition of anonymity, recounted how she narrowly survived rape at the hands of KWS officers. “They caught me and asked how much money I had. They then told me to choose between rape or giving them money,” she recounted.
She went on to say, “I gave them my smartphone. But after a few minutes, they tore my clothes off.” At that moment, she said she was terrified, but fortunately, a wild animal emerged from the woods, forcing the officers to let her go.
Her account is not the only one. Another victim of the officers is Moses Olweny, who is healing from severe injuries on his thigh and back.
According to Moses, in the wee hours of January 8, officers caught him as he emerged from fishing inside Lake Nakuru National Park at 2:00am.
What followed is a beating that has left him unable to work. “I was calling others to help me carry the load. Then one officer caught my hand. Then I could see others, about six of them surrounding me,” he told NTV.
He went on to narrate a beating meted on him. “They were carrying rungus and pipes. They beat me up until they felt I could not make it to the fence,” he narrated.
The father of four added, “They took all my clothes and beat me even under my feet. I was unable to move, and they said, let him be eaten by hyenas.”
Moses, who is still recuperating from his injuries, revealed that the rangers colluded with residents to permit them to fish in the lake.
“We have an understanding with the officers. When I fish and the load is good, I send them Ksh10,000. When the load is bad, I send them Ksh5,000,” Moses revealed.
The fish in Lake Nakuru are unsuitable for human consumption because of high levels of toxic arsenic, but that has not stopped people from fishing.
KWS has yet to issue any statement on the matter. Our efforts to reach the service for comment also failed.
