German man arrested for alleged child trafficking, abuse

Netzband Tim Marvin was arrested on February 23, 2024. [iStockphoto]

In what is being hailed as a breakthrough, detectives at the Coast have arrested a German suspected to be a member of a child trafficking and pornography syndicate.

The suspected paedophile, Netzband Tim Marvin, who runs a child community centre in Mtondia, Kilifi South was arrested on February 23, 2024.

On Tuesday, Marvin appeared before Kilifi Chief Magistrate Julius Nangea to face charges including child trafficking, sexual molestation and pornography.

The court heard that his arrest followed a month-long probe by the detectives following a complaint reported at Kilifi Police Station in January.

The prosecution claimed that the suspect was a member of a syndicate involved in child trafficking and molesting of minors who also expose them to pornography.

While opposing the bond application, the prosecution said Marvin lives in a leased residence due to expire at the end of March 2024 and, therefore, likely to be a flight risk.

The prosecution argued that the suspect has traversed Africa by road and hence has built a social network and if released he may run away from the country.

Anti-human trafficking and child protection police unit involved in the investigations revealed that the accused had been visiting local joints where parents hung out with their children.

The prosecution told the court that Marvin allegedly forged relations with the parents before befriending the minors, who turned out later to be his victims of sexual abuse.

The court heard that the suspect allegedly committed the offences between January 1 and February 9, 2024, in Mtondia, Kilifi North sub-county.

The charge sheet states that he allegedly intentionally, unlawfully, and indecently assaulted the minor aged 15.

"On diverse days between January 1, 2024 and February 9, 2024, at Mtondia area Kilifi North sub-county of Kilifi county, you transported M M M, a child aged 15 using your car registration number N 86120 W, a Mercedes Benz from Maghreb hotel Sea Horse area to your house in Mtondia area for sexual exploitation of the said M M M," reads the charge sheet in part.

Marvin has also been accused of allegedly sending nudes to a minor through a WhatsApp number in a manner intended to encourage the minor to engage in sexual acts.

The prosecution claimed that the suspect recorded the sexual exploitation and abuse materials of the victims and distributed them to his friends in and outside Kenya.

Marvin denied the charges before Kilifi Law Courts Chief Magistrate Julius Nangea. The magistrate ordered the suspect to remain in custody until Thursday, when he will rule on the bail application.