A court in Nakuru has deferred an abduction case facing six Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers until next week, following tension owing to the planned nationwide Saba Saba protest.

Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion deferred the case to July 14.

The court heard that witnesses lined up to testify against the rangers did not make it to court owing to the tension within Nakuru City.

Also, the six rangers facing abduction charges were not in court.

“Owing to the situation within the city, the case was adjourned and deferred to July 14. Witnesses to be bonded to appear then,” directed Kibelion.

The six rangers are charged with abducting Nakuru fisherman Brian Odhiambo on January 18, 2025.

Four of ten listed witnesses testified in May, with three implicating the rangers in the abduction.

Agnes Achieng, a neighbour who runs a business in the Manyani area near the Lake Nakuru National Park, testified that while she was doing laundry, she saw the rangers abduct Odhiambo.

“Four rangers chased him from the Nakuru National Park and assaulted him. It was around 10a.m.m,” she testified.

“They kicked him in the head and stomach,” she said.

Achieng said the rangers were in green KWS uniforms, and one was carrying a gun. However, she could not identify them as they had their faces covered with hats.

Odhiambo’s brother, Carlos Otieno, testified that he had been with his brother at around 9 a.m. at their mother’s house on the day of the incident.

“He came to have tea, but it wasn't ready. He asked for money to buy something to eat, and I gave him Sh50. He went to the shop, bought something, and we shared it before he left to go fishing,” Otieno testified.

Several minutes later, he said that Alex, a casual labourer, came to him calling out, “Carlos! Get out quickly! Your brother has been arrested by the KWS!”

He said he rushed towards the fence, where he saw four rangers dragging Odhiambo; two were holding his hands, and two were holding his legs while kicking him in the stomach and face.

Otieno said the rangers carried Odhiambo before throwing him into their Land Cruiser.

“They assaulted him with stinging nettle leaves, mocking him and telling him to run as he had been running earlier,” Otieno testified.

Odhiambo’s mother, Elizabeth Auma, testified that she overheard the exchange between her son and Alex and tried to follow them, despite having a leg issue that made walking difficult.

She confirmed that she saw the four rangers assault her son.

The prosecution plans to call six more witnesses.

The hearing will continue on July 14.