A Kenyan man has been charged in Mombasa over alleged trafficking of methamphetamine worth Sh114.5 million, in a case prosecutors say is connected to a separate Sh8.2 billion drug case involving six Iranians.
Martin Mugendi Gitonga appeared before Mombasa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo and denied conspiring with others to traffic narcotic drugs.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told the court that Gitonga is accused of trafficking 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at Sh114,568,000.
The alleged offence is said to have been committed jointly with other people, some of whom have not yet been brought before the court. Prosecutors said the offence took place on various dates between November 21 and 24, 2025, within Kenya.
Gitonga was charged under Section 4(B)(4) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, as amended by the 2022 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Act.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Christine Mbevi told the court that Gitonga’s case is connected to another matter already before the court. She said the prosecution plans to seek consolidation of the two cases.
Mbevi asked the court to consider bond terms similar to those given to the accused persons in the related case.
“The accused persons in the related matter had been released on a surety bond of Sh5 million or, in the alternative, a cash bail of Sh3 million,” she told the court.
The defence, however, asked the court to give Gitonga reasonable bond terms. His lawyer said he had no previous criminal record and was ready to follow any conditions imposed by the court.
The lawyer also assured the court that Gitonga would not interfere with witnesses. The defence further asked the prosecution to supply the accused with all documentary evidence it plans to rely on during the trial.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Olimo granted Gitonga a Sh2 million bond with two sureties. She also allowed him to secure his release through a Sh2 million cash bail, with two contact persons.
The case is linked to proceedings involving six Iranians who are facing separate charges over an alleged Sh8.2 billion methamphetamine haul.
The six are Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam and Daryayi Imtiyaz.
According to the ODPP, the 14,321 grams of methamphetamine allegedly linked to Gitonga are suspected to have been part of the larger consignment at the centre of the Iranian case.
The prosecution has since closed its case against the six Iranians, marking another stage in proceedings over the large drug case before the Mombasa court.
Gitonga’s case will continue separately unless the prosecution succeeds in having it combined with the related matter. The court will consider the evidence and submissions as the proceedings move forward.
The matter will come up for mention on August 30, 2026.
Gitonga remains out on bond under the conditions issued by the court. The charges against him are allegations, and he remains innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.