Eight Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers have been arraigned at the Mombasa Law Courts and charged with trafficking narcotic drugs in a high-profile case involving methamphetamine valued at over Ksh.192 million. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspects appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo, where they all denied the charges brought against them.
Accused Soldiers Named
Those facing the charges are: Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Juma Mwinyifaki Juma, Michael Peter Kariuki, Elijah Mbogo, James Ekiru, Abdulrehman Salad Jara, Abdirahman Abdi Kuno, and Peter Kipng’etich Tonui.
Prosecutors told the court that the accused were found in possession of varying quantities of methamphetamine. The charges include both individual and joint counts, which the prosecution says reflect the scale, coordination, and sophistication of the alleged drug trafficking network.
Breakdown of the Charges
- Juma Mwinyifaki Juma is accused of trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine, valued at approximately Ksh.20.8 million.
- Peter Kipng’etich Tonui and Mustafa Salim Johari were charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
- Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Dinah Moraa Obwocha, and Elijah Mbogo face conspiracy charges involving 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh.114.6 million.
The trio also faces additional counts of trafficking 5,380 grams worth Ksh.43 million and 8,941 grams valued at Ksh.71.5 million, allegedly by storing the drugs in residential premises.
- James Ekiru and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno were charged with conspiring to traffic 1,319 grams of narcotic drugs valued at Ksh.10.5 million and also face separate charges of trafficking by storing the substances in a house.
- Michael Peter Kariuki and Abdulrehman Salad Jara were charged with conspiracy to traffic 2,535 grams of methamphetamine, valued at about Ksh.20.2 million.
Prosecution Opposes Bond
The prosecution strongly opposed the accused persons’ application for bond, citing the serious nature of the offences. Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda told the court that the proposed bond terms failed to adequately reflect the gravity of the charges. She further argued that, given the nature of the alleged offences and the positions previously held by the accused, there was a high risk of witness interference and possible compromise of ongoing investigations.
Bond Ruling Pending
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bond application on Thursday.
