By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya , August 12 , 2026 - A man has been charged with conspiring to traffic methamphetamine valued at Sh114.5 million in a case linked to a larger Sh8.2 billion drug haul allegedly involving six Iranians.
Martin Mugendi Gitonga appeared before Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo and denied the charge of conspiracy to traffic narcotic drugs.
The prosecution alleges that Gitonga conspired with others to traffic 14,321 grammes of methamphetamine between November 21 and 24, 2025, within Kenya.
He was charged under Section 4(B)(4) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 1994, as amended in 2022.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Christine Mbevi told the court that the case is related to another matter pending before the same court and that the prosecution intends to seek consolidation of the two cases.
Mbevi said the accused persons in the related case had been granted a Sh5 million surety bond or Sh3 million cash bail, and asked the court to consider similar terms for Gitonga.
Through his lawyer, Gitonga asked the court to grant him reasonable bond terms, saying he had no previous criminal record.
The defence also requested the prosecution to provide Gitonga with all documentary evidence it intends to rely on during the trial.
Magistrate Olimo granted Gitonga a Sh2 million bond with two sureties, or Sh2 million cash bail with two contact persons.
The case will be mentioned on August 30, 2026.
The matter is linked to a case involving six Iranian nationals — Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam and Daryayi Imtiyaz.
The six are facing a separate case relating to the alleged Sh8.2 billion methamphetamine haul. The Director of Public Prosecutions has since closed the prosecution case in that matter.
Gitonga's charge is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court.
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