Mombasa: Man charged for trafficking Ksh.114.5M meth linked to Ksh.8.2B Iranian haul

A man has been charged in Mombasa over the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine worth Ksh.114.5 million, in a case linked to a larger drug haul involving six Iranians that is already before the courts.

The accused, a middle-aged man, Martin Mugendi Gitonga, appeared before Mombasa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo on Wednesday and denied a charge of conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.

“He was charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs contrary to Section 4(B)(4) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, as amended by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Amendment Act, 2022,” stated the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).

The prosecution alleges that Gitonga, together with other suspects who were not before the court, conspired to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine valued at Ksh.114,568,000 on diverse dates between November 21 and 24, 2025.

The drugs are suspected to be part of an estimated Ksh.8.2 billion haul allegedly recovered from six Iranian nationals who are facing a separate case before the same court.

During the hearing, the prosecution told the court that it intends to consolidate Gitonga's case with the existing matter.

The ODPP noted that the suspects in the related case had been released on a Ksh.5 million surety bond or Ksh.3 million cash bail and asked the court to consider similar terms for Gitonga.

Gitonga's lawyer, however, urged the court to grant him reasonable bond terms, arguing that he has no previous criminal record.

The defence further assured the court that Gitonga would comply with all conditions imposed, including refraining from interfering with witnesses.

The lawyer also asked the prosecution to provide the accused with all documentary evidence it intends to rely on during the trial.

Magistrate Olimo subsequently granted Gitonga a Ksh.2 million bond with two sureties, or an alternative Ksh.2 million cash bail, with two contact persons.

The case will be mentioned on August 30, 2026.

The matter is connected to the case involving Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam and Daryayi Imtiyaz.

The DPP has already closed its case in the matter involving the six Iranians.