Eight KDF Soldiers Arraigned in Mombasa Over Sh192 Million Methamphetamine Trafficking
MOMBASA, Kenya - Eight Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers appeared before the Mombasa Law Courts on January 7, 2026, facing multiple charges of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs. The case involves methamphetamine valued at more than Sh192 million.
The accused soldiers 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. All eight pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo.
The charges detail separate but interconnected incidents believed to form part of a coordinated drug trafficking network. Juma Mwinyifaki Juma faces one count of trafficking 2,601 grams of methamphetamine valued at Sh20.8 million.
Duke Nyamwaya Nyarige and Elijah Mbogo are jointly charged with conspiracy to traffic 14,321 grams worth Sh114.6 million, alongside additional counts of trafficking 5,380 grams (Sh43 million) and 8,941 grams (Sh71.5 million), with the drugs allegedly concealed in residential houses.
James Ekiru and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno face conspiracy charges related to 1,319 grams valued at Sh10.5 million, as well as trafficking by storing narcotics in a residential house.
Michael Peter Kariuki and Abdulrehman Salad Jara are accused of conspiracy to traffic 2,535 grams worth Sh20.2 million. Peter Kipng’etich Tonui is also charged in connection with conspiracy counts.
Prosecutors, represented by Principal Prosecution Counsel Brenda Oganda from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), opposed bail applications, describing the offences as grave with severe penalties. They argued that the soldiers' positions could enable interference with witnesses or ongoing investigations if released.
The magistrate ordered the accused to remain in custody pending a ruling on bond applications, scheduled for Thursday.
The case stems from the recovery of varying quantities of methamphetamine allegedly in the possession of the soldiers or stored in residential premises. Investigators believe the transactions point to an organized syndicate.
This development follows a major multi-agency operation in October 2025, when security teams intercepted a dhow off the Kenyan coast carrying 1,024 kilograms of methamphetamine. Authorities later probed allegations that a portion of the seized drugs, approximately 24-25 kilograms valued at Sh192 million, had been diverted, leading to the arrests of the soldiers in December 2025.
The soldiers, primarily attached to the Kenya Navy, were part of the team involved in the initial maritime interdiction. Internal KDF investigations resulted in their dismissal and handover to anti-narcotics police for criminal proceedings.
The arraignment highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks exploiting Kenya's coastline, amid concerns over the involvement of security personnel in such activities. The case continues.