Mombasa, Kenya — Eight Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers appeared before the Mombasa Law Courts on Tuesday, facing charges of trafficking methamphetamine valued at more than Ksh.192 million. The suspects denied all charges during their arraignment before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo.
The accused 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 allege that the group was involved in an organized and sophisticated narcotics operation, with both individual and joint charges reflecting the scale of the alleged trafficking.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP):
- Juma Mwinyifaki Juma is charged with trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh.20.8 million.
- Peter Kipng’etich Tonui and Mustafa Salim Johari face charges of conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
- Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige, Dinah Moraa Obwocha, and Elijah Mbogo are charged with conspiracy to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh.114.6 million. The trio also faces separate counts of trafficking 5,380 grams (Ksh.43 million) and 8,941 grams (Ksh.71.5 million), allegedly stored in residential premises.
- James Ekiru and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno are charged with conspiracy to traffic 1,319 grams of methamphetamine worth Ksh.10.5 million, along with separate counts for storing the drugs in a house.
- Michael Peter Kariuki and Abdulrehman Salad Jara face charges of conspiracy to traffic 2,535 grams valued at approximately Ksh.20.2 million.
The prosecution opposed the accused soldiers’ application for bond, citing the gravity of the offences and the risk of interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations. Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda told the court that the proposed bond terms did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the case.
The court is expected to rule on the bond application on Thursday.
