Karume’s grandson charged with trafficking in drugs

Former minister Njenga Karume's grandson has been charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana.

James Njenga Kihato was Thursday charged in his hospital bed at Karen Hospital with two counts of trafficking in the hard drugs. He denied the charges.

Kiambu Magistrate Bryan Khaemba moved his courtroom to Mr Kihato's Karen Hospital ward where the charges were read out to him.

Kihato was charged alongside Lawrence Muketo Ngula and Joseph Mutua Kimeu, but he had to answer the second charge on cocaine alone.

His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, asked the magistrate to release him on bail as his health condition required that he be closely monitored by doctors.

It is claimed detectives recovered several pounds of imported high-grade marijuana and sachets of hard drugs, including cocaine.

The suspects were also claimed to be operating a narcotics distribution network in Nairobi and Kampala. The three had been arrested by the anti-narcotics police officers.

According to the police, Kihato had been importing narcotics such as Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) into the country. LSD is highly addictive and common among youths in Nairobi.

The High Court had directed that the accused take plea Thursday but his lawyer had put up a spirited fight to oppose the order saying it was prejudice on the rights of the accused who is hospitalised.

Prosecutor Henry Kinyanjui told the court that the accused was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital where he declined admission and upon his lawyer's request, was transferred and admitted at the Karen Hospital.

Mr Kinyanjui opposed the defense's request to postpone the plea saying the court had not been issued with admission notes.