Student, 16, nabbed with 35 rolls of bhang charged

A Form Three female student is among 60 youths who were arraigned in a Mombasa court yesterday facing drug-related charges.

Hundreds of drug traffickers and users have been arrested in Mombasa following the ongoing raids on drug dens after last Thursday's directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to security and political leaders to start the campaign to combat the vice.

Yesterday, the first batch of suspected drug users and peddlers were charged among them a student from Ibubi Girls High School in Emuhaya constituency.

The 16-year-old student was arrested with 35 rolls of bhang valued at Sh6000 while in transit at Mikindani as she was preparing to go back to school. The 60 other youths who were charged yesterday included Salim Ouma, Boniface Mtuku, Michael Mukimani and Rashid Salim who were arrested with three sachets of heroin worth Sh1,000.

The four were released on a Sh100,000 bond after they pleaded not guilty to charges of peddling drugs. Other youths will stand hearing on Thursday after the prosecutor requested for more time to conclude investigations.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Richard Odenyo, the students pleaded not guilty to the charges with tears rolling down her chicks.

The student's lawyers Richard Magolo said the girl was a victim of mistaken identity.

Mr Magolo said the student was due to travel back to school yesterday and she was in the process of preparing herself for school.

"The student has shown me her school identity card and her ticket to Emuhaya, which indicates she is to travel at 3.45 pm," said Magolo who pleaded with the court to give her lenient bond terms.

However, State Prosecutor Lydia Kagori said: "We are not opposed to bond but the girl should be given a bond that is commensurate with the offence and show proof she is a student of the said school." She was released on a Sh200,000 bond with one surety and she will appear in court for hearing on November 26.

Mombasa County Commissioners Nelson Marwa last week identified Bokole, Magongo Mwisho, Shell Beach, Chaani and Bamburi Mwisho as hot spots for drug peddlers.