A middle-aged man has been charged in Mombasa over an alleged attempt to traffic methamphetamine valued at Ksh.114.5 million.
The case is linked to a larger drug trafficking matter involving six Iranian nationals whose case is already before the Mombasa Law Courts.
Martin Mugendi Gitonga appeared before Mombasa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo on Wednesday, where he denied a charge of conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
The charge was brought under 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.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Gitonga is accused of conspiring with other suspects who were not before the court to traffic 14,321 grams of methamphetamine.
The drugs are said to have a street value of Ksh.114,568,000.The alleged offence is said to have taken place on different dates between November 21 and November 24, 2025.
Prosecutors believe that the drugs may be connected to a much larger consignment that is part of a separate case involving six Iranian nationals.
The larger haul is estimated to be worth about Ksh.8.2 billion. The six suspects are facing charges before the same Mombasa court.
They are Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam and Daryayi Imtiyaz.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution told the court that it intends to have Gitonga’s case consolidated with the existing case involving the six Iranians.
This would allow the court to consider the matters together if the legal requirements for consolidation are met.
The prosecution also informed the court about the bond terms that had previously been granted to the suspects in the related case.
The six suspects had been released on a Ksh.5 million surety bond or Ksh.3 million cash bail. The prosecution asked the court to consider similar terms for Gitonga.Gitonga’s lawyer, however, asked the court to give his client reasonable bond terms.
The defence argued that Gitonga has no previous criminal record and should therefore not be subjected to unnecessarily strict conditions before his case is heard and determined.
The lawyer also assured the court that Gitonga would follow all conditions imposed on him. This included an undertaking that he would not interfere with witnesses or take any steps that could affect the trial.
The defence further asked the prosecution to provide Gitonga with all the documentary evidence it plans to rely on during the hearing.
Access to the evidence will allow the accused and his lawyers to prepare for the case and respond to the allegations made against him.
After considering the submissions from both sides, Magistrate Olimo granted Gitonga a Ksh.2 million bond with two sureties.
The court also provided an alternative of Ksh.2 million cash bail with two contact persons.
The decision means that Gitonga will remain out of custody as the case moves forward, provided he meets the conditions set by the court.
The bond terms are not a finding of guilt, and the accused remains innocent unless the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.
The case will be mentioned on August 30, 2026. The mention is expected to provide an opportunity for the court and the parties to address the progress of the matter, including the proposed consolidation with the case involving the six Iranian nationals.
The development comes as the prosecution has already closed its case in the matter involving the six Iranians. The addition of Gitonga’s case could therefore bring another accused person into a wider legal process surrounding the alleged drug consignment.
The allegations are serious because of the amount and value of methamphetamine involved. However, the court will have to examine the evidence presented by the prosecution before making any determination on Gitonga’s responsibility.
