Eight serving Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were on Wednesday presented before the Mombasa Law Courts in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking syndicate, as prosecutors pressed the court to deny them bond over fears of interference and the seriousness of the offences.
The soldiers were arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo, where they each pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
The drugs involved are estimated to be worth more than Sh192 million, making the case one of the most significant narcotics prosecutions involving security officers in recent years.
Those charged 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.
According to the charge sheets presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the accused were allegedly found with varying quantities of methamphetamine in what prosecutors described as a coordinated and well-organised operation spanning multiple locations.
Juma Mwinyifaki Juma faces a standalone charge of trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of Sh20.8 million.
Peter Kipng’etich Tonui and Mustafa Salim Johari were charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
In one of the largest counts, Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Dinah Moraa Obwocha and Elijah Mbogo were jointly charged with conspiring to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at Sh114.6 million.
The trio also face additional charges of trafficking 5,380 grams worth Sh43 million and a further 8,941 grams valued at Sh71.5 million, allegedly through storage of the drugs in residential premises.
James Ekiru and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno were accused of conspiring to traffic 1,319 grams of narcotics valued at Sh10.5 million, alongside separate counts of trafficking by storing the drugs in a house.
Michael Peter Kariuki and Abdulrehman Salad Jara were charged with conspiracy to traffic 2,535 grams of methamphetamine valued at approximately Sh20.2 million.
The prosecution firmly opposed the release of the accused persons on bail terms pending trial.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda argued that the proposed bond terms were lenient in light of the gravity of the offences and the substantial value of the drugs involved.
She told the court that the accused persons’ former positions and training posed a real risk to witnesses and the integrity of ongoing investigations if they were released at this stage.
“The seriousness of the charges and the public interest involved warrant continued detention,” Oganda submitted.
Magistrate Olimo directed that the accused remain in custody pending a ruling on the bond application, which is scheduled to be delivered on today, Thursday.
