By Andrew Kariuki
Eight Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were on Wednesday arraigned before the Mombasa Law Courts and charged with trafficking narcotic drugs, in a case involving methamphetamine valued at over ksh192 million.
The accused appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo, where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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 prosecution, the accused were found in possession of varying quantities of methamphetamine, with the charges reflecting both individual and joint criminal responsibility, pointing to an alleged organized operation.
Juma Mwinyifaki Juma was charged with trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh20.8 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 were charged with conspiracy to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at ksh114.6 million.
The three also face additional counts of trafficking 5,380 grams valued at Ksh43 million and a further 8,941 grams valued at Sh71.5 million, allegedly by storing the drugs in residential premises.
James Ekiru and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno were charged with conspiracy to traffic 1,319 grams of narcotic drugs valued at Ksh10.5 million and face 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 Ksh20.2 million.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the accused persons’ application for bond.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda submitted that the proposed bond terms did not sufficiently reflect the gravity and seriousness of the offences.
She further told the court 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 possible compromise of ongoing investigations.
The court reserved its ruling on the bond application, which will be delivered on Thursday.
