Hussein Khalid questions KWS motives after Lake Nakuru is excluded from free park entry
By Ascah Mwango, September 26, 2025Activist and VOCAL Africa chief executive Hussein Khalid has questioned the Kenya Wildlife Service’s decision to exclude Lake Nakuru National Park from the nationwide free entry program.
In a fiery statement shared via his X account on Friday, September 26, 2025, Khalid said the move was suspicious because the family of missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo had planned to use the free entry day to search the park.
Also watch: KWS opens national parks for free to all Kenyans on September 27
He urged KWS to be transparent and tell Kenyans what it might be hiding in the park.
“I believe @KWSKenya must now come clean with Kenyans and tell us what they’re hiding in Lake Nakuru National Park. KWS announced free entry to all parks on Saturday, 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 question is why? What are they hiding in that park?” Khalid stated.
No free entry
His remarks come after KWS announced that Lake Nakuru National Park would not be part of the free entry initiative scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025.
The agency said entry to the park would be limited to visitors with prepaid eCitizen tickets and that only the Nderit Gate would be open from 6 a.m. to 6 pm.
The main gate at the flamingo area and the Lanet Gate would remain closed.
KWS explained that the decision was part of efforts to manage visitor numbers and protect the park’s fragile ecosystem.
Also watch: Govt announces free entry to national parks on World Tourism Day
It assured the public that all other national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries under its management would remain open for free entry as previously announced.
“Nakuru County, Friday 26th September 2025 – Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wishes to provide an update on the free entry to National Park, Reserves and Sanctuaries earlier communicated through the Public Notice dated 23rd September 2025. The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park, tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025,” the KWS statement read in part.
Adding;
“However, customers with prepaid eCitizen tickets are advised to access Lake Nakuru National Park through Nderit Gate from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025. Furthermore, the public is notified that both Lake Nakuru Main Gate (at flamingo area) and Lanet Gate shall remain closed tomorrow.”
The move has drawn attention because of the ongoing case of Brian Odhiambo, who disappeared on January 18, 2025.
Odhiambo, a fisherman, was reportedly taken by KWS officers at Lake Nakuru National Park. A court later ruled there was not enough evidence to prove he had been in the custody of the agency, but six KWS rangers were recommended for abduction charges.