Eight Kenya Defence Forces soldiers are facing court charges in Mombasa for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine valued at over Sh192 million, as prosecutors objected to their release on bond, citing the seriousness of the offences and the possibility of witness interference.
The case, brought by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), was heard before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo at Mombasa Law Courts. The magistrate is expected to deliver a ruling on the bond application on Thursday.
The accused — Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Juma Mwinyifaki Juma, Michael Peter Kariuki, Elijah Mbogo, James Ekiru, Abdulrehman Salad Jara, Abdirahman Abdi Kuno, and Peter Kipng’etich Tonui — have all denied the charges against them.
Prosecutors told the court that the suspects were caught with varying amounts of methamphetamine, with both individual and joint charges reflecting “the scale and sophistication of the alleged operation.”
The charge sheet indicates that Juma Mwinyifaki Juma faces trafficking charges involving 2,601 grams of methamphetamine, valued at Sh20.8 million. Peter Kipng’etich Tonui and Mustafa Salim Johari are charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Dinah Moraa Obwocha, and Elijah Mbogo face charges of conspiring to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine worth Sh114.6 million. The trio is also accused of trafficking additional quantities, including 5,380 grams valued at Sh43 million and 8,941 grams worth Sh71.5 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 Sh10.5 million and face further counts of trafficking through storage in a house.
Meanwhile, Michael Peter Kariuki and Abdulrehman Salad Jara were charged with conspiracy to traffic 2,535 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated value of Sh20.2 million.
In opposing the bond application, Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda emphasized the ODPP’s firm stance against organised drug trafficking. She told the court, “The proposed bond terms did not adequately reflect the gravity and seriousness of the offences.”
Oganda also warned that, “given the nature of the case and the positions previously held by the accused, there was a real risk of interference with witnesses and a potential compromise of ongoing investigations if the suspects were released.”
The case has drawn national attention due to the high value of the narcotics involved and the status of the accused. The ODPP reiterated its commitment to protecting public interest and holding those involved in drug trafficking accountable.
