By Team
A middle-aged man has been charged before Mombasa Law Courts with allegedly trafficking in methamphetamine weighing 14,321 grams and valued at Sh114,568,000.
The drug is suspected to be part of a Sh8.2 billion haul allegedly recovered from six Iranians with a pending court case.
Martin Mugendi Gitonga, who appeared before Mombasa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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.
The accused allegedly committed the offence jointly with others before the court and others not before the court on diverse dates between November 21 and 24, 2025, within the Republic of Kenya.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Christine Mbevi told the court that a related case was pending before it and that the prosecution intended to consolidate the two matters.
Mbevi informed the court that the accused persons in the related matter had been released on a surety bond of Sh5 million or, in the alternative, a cash bail of Sh3 million, and urged the court to consider similar terms.
The accused, through his lawyer, pleaded with the court to consider releasing him on reasonable bond terms, arguing that he has no previous criminal records.
He added that he was willing to abide by the conditions given by the court, including not interfering with witnesses.
The defence also asked the prosecution to supply Gitonga with all documentary evidence it intends to rely on during the trial.
Magistrate Olimo granted Gitonga a bond of Sh2 million with two sureties, or an alternative cash bail of Sh2 million, with two contact persons.
The case will be mentioned on August 30, 2026.
The matter is related to a case involving the six Iranians: Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam, and Daryayi Imtiyaz.
The DPP has closed the prosecution’s case in the Iranian matter.
