Candles flicker softly by the Lake Nakuru fence as family members and friends gather in quiet prayer. It is exactly one year since Brian Odhiambo, a fisherman and family man, disappeared in the hands of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wardens.

The vigil marks not only the passing of time, but the deepening pain of a family still searching for answers.

“My name is Elizabeth Auma. I am the mother of Brian Odhiambo. He was arrested by KWS on January 18, 2025. Today is January 18, 2026, and we have never seen him since,” she says, holding six lit candles in her hands.

Elizabeth Auma holds six candles representing each family member in readiness for her son's vigil who disappeared on January 18,2025

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA / MTAA WANGU

Auma says life without her son is unbearable. She speaks slowly, pausing often, as if each word carries weight.

“The journey is very difficult for me. I don’t sleep at night. I cannot even eat when I remember my son. His brothers keep asking me where can we find him? I have no answers for them,” she says. “

Brian was born in April 1993 and was 31 years old at the time of his disappearance. His mother describes him as a kind, forgiving man who supports his family and community.

“He was a good person. He had no problem with anyone. He supported me, paid school fees, bought food, and sometimes even paid my rent,” she says.

The Family Brian Odhiambo hold a photo of him during the Vigil held in Kivumbini on January 18,2026 marking one year since his disappearance

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Standing beside her is Brian’s wife, Alvy Aoko, holding their two young children. For her, the absence is constant and painful.

It is not easy to lose a husband like this. My children ask me every day where their father is. My daughter is seven. My son is three. When they pray, they ask God to bring their father back, “Aoko says.

Aoko recalls the last day she spoke to her husband. “I was at work when I was told Brian was arrested and beaten. We believe he is being taken to court. From that day until now, we never see him again,” she says. “

Brian’s wife, Alvy Aoko,during the Vigil held in Kivumbini on January 18,2026 marking one year since her husband's disappearance. Photo Purity Kinuthia.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA /MTAA WANG

Additionally, she says his disappearance shatters the family’s stability. Brian was the main provider, working as a fisherman.

Since that day, life has not been easy. Sometimes well-wishers speaking on the matter.

Human rights defender Khalid Hussein says family is trapped in uncertainty as court processes drag on. He says justice delayed continues to deny the family closure, while questions around Brian’s fate remain unanswered.

“We ask every family that has lost their loved ones through security agencies not to give up. Continue fighting for your rights and justice until we get to the bottom of this,” Khalid states

Human rights defender Khalid Hussein speaks on the lag of Brian Odhiambo's court case as his family marks one year since his disappearance with a vigil at their home in Kivumbini

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

As prayers continue and candles burn low, Auma speaks her deepest plea.

“I just want closure. Even if it is only his body, so I can bury my son. I will never forget him,” she says.

One year on, Brian Odhiambo remains missing, and his family continues to wait, in faith, in pain, and in hope that the truth will finally come to light.

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Bret Sanya