Editor's Review

The suspect allegedly ferried the two underage girls from Mombasa to Kiambu County, where they were sexually exploited.

A human rights defender based in Mombasa was, on Tuesday, September 22, charged at the Shanzu Law Courts with trafficking two children.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the suspect is accused of trafficking the minors for purposes of sexual exploitation, defilement and committing indecent acts with children.

According to the DPP, the suspect allegedly ferried the two underage girls, 16 and 17,  from their home in Kiembeni, Mombasa County to Kiambu County, where they were sexually exploited.

"Caleb Okumu Ngwena appeared before Shanzu Law Courts and was charged before Resident Magistrate Hon. Vincent Odhiambo with two counts of trafficking in persons, contrary to Section 3(3) as read with Section 3(5) of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, Cap. 61, Laws of Kenya," the statement read in part.

Resident Magistrate Odhiambo heard that apart from trafficking the minors, the suspect allegedly also engaged in indecent acts with them.

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A file photo of a gavel in a courtroom.

"He was also charged separately with defilement co contrary to Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(4) of the Sexual Offences Act. The alleged offence is stated to have been committed on 26th August 26 2026, within Kiambu County.

"In addition, the accused faces two counts of committing an indecent act with a child, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Sexual Offences Act," the DPP's report read.

Ngwena pleaded not guilty to all charges and applied to the court to release him on reasonable bond terms - a request the prosecution opposed.

Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele and Orina Sagini urged the court to consider the seriousness of the charges in determining the bond application.

The court granted the accused bond of Ksh800,000 with one surety, or an alternative cash bail of Ksh500,000 with one contact person. The case will be mentioned on 1st October 2026.

Meanwhile, the police are still looking for his accomplice, who is still on the run. The two worked together to abduct their victims before forcing them to cut off communication with their parents.

Earlier, a multi-agency team of officers rescued four minors aged between 1 and 17 years from a child trafficker following a multi-agency operation. 

The suspect, Enock Peterson Mwangi alias Mwamburi, was nabbed at Korompoi Trading Centre in Isinya Sub-County, where he was holding his victims before transporting them across the Tanzanian border.