8 KDF soldiers charged with trafficking narcotics worth Ksh.192M

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the suspects appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo, where they all denied 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.

Prosecutors told the court that the accused were found in possession of varying quantities of methamphetamine, with both individual and joint charges reflecting what they described as the scale and sophistication of the alleged drug trafficking operation.

Juma Mwinyifaki Juma was charged with trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh.20.8 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 Ksh.114.6 million. 

The trio also face additional counts of trafficking 5,380 grams valued at Ksh.43 million and a further 8,941 grams valued at Ksh.71.5 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 Ksh.10.5 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 Ksh.20.2 million.

The prosecution opposed the accused persons’ application for bond, citing the seriousness of the offences. Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda told the court that the proposed bond terms did not sufficiently reflect the gravity of the charges.

She further said 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 is expected to rule on the bond application on Thursday.