The Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations has directed security and environmental agencies to urgently investigate the alleged forced disappearance of fishermen at Lake Nakuru National Park and address growing concerns over public safety and environmental compliance.

During a meeting held this Tuesday, chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), the Committee met stakeholders, including the Kenya Fisheries Service and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to deliberate on a petition regarding the disappearance of young fishermen.

The Committee directed the Ministry of Interior and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to immediately launch a search operation to establish the whereabouts of one of the missing individuals.

“We are directing the relevant institutions, especially the Ministry of Interior and KWS, to immediately move in and establish whether the missing person is alive or dead, and assist the affected families,” Chairperson Sen. Dullo stated.

The Committee reiterated its earlier position on fishing at the lake and ordered that fishing activities at Lake Nakuru cease immediately, citing an existing report by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) indicating that fish from the lake is unfit for human consumption.

“The fishing that is taking place in Lake Nakuru should stop immediately. We must inform the public that the fish is unfit for human consumption,” the Chair ruled.

The Committee further instructed the Kenya Fisheries Service to conduct fresh sampling and analysis of fish from the lake and submit a report within two weeks to establish current safety standards.

Additionally, NEMA was directed to audit the compliance of factories and establishments within Nakuru County, particularly on waste discharge and licensing, with strict instructions to cancel the licenses of non-compliant entities.

“You need to establish the status of discharge from factories and take action where there is non-compliance,” the Committee Chair directed.

The Fisheries Department was also tasked with conducting field verification within one week to confirm reports of ongoing illegal fishing activities, which it had earlier disputed.

Senators raised concerns over conflicting reports, with some Members citing firsthand observations of fishing activities at the lake.

The Committee also indicated that it will summon additional stakeholders, including the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife and officials from the Ministry of Interior, as part of ongoing investigations into the matter.

Further, plans are underway for a joint field visit involving all relevant agencies to assess the situation on the ground and establish both environmental safety and security conditions at the lake.

The Committee directed that all concerned agencies submit progress reports within the stipulated timelines without fail.