Mpeketoni court hands drug trafficker 10 years sentence

In what was seen as a miracle to Lamu residents, drug trafficker Lucas Opondo Muguna was this week thrown behind bars, not only for months but for one full decade.

Muguna, was a feared drug trafficker who specialised in bhang trade, supplying upto the grassroots level of Lamu county, and police failed to arrest him and present him before court.

For over six years, police chased Muguna in vain as the renowned trafficker had mastered the trade and would fear none, and even Lamu locals could not dare report his dirty deals to anyone.

Muguna, 45, uses buses plying the Mombasa-Garsen-Witu-Lamu route to transport his ‘cargo’. He also used Bodaboda to ensure the supply reaches it’s destination.

The transportation of the drugs was done in Moa stages along Gamba-Witu and Lamu.

Despite Lamu Governor Issah Timammy promising a Ksh. 50,000 for any local or police officer who will lead to the arrest and prosecution of drug traffickers in the county, it remained just a promise.

“I will handsomely compensate any police officer or Lamu residents who will lead to the arrest of these drug traffickers. They have left our youth like zombies instead of being productive. This is because of the effects of drug abuse,” said Governor Timammy.

Lamu is among the coastal counties affected by drug menace. Others are Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Taita Taveta.

After the National police service failed to nab Muguna, they involved the RDU who are normally sent to Lamu to battle Al-Shabab militia.

On January, 2019, Muguna was arrested at Moa stages in Witu after he had just received his drug haul and was charged in court.

However, he was released on bond but he immediately vanished into hiding, in Uganda.

Both his lawyer Alfred Omwancha and his surety Mark Otieno recused themselves from the case after they were ordered by court to present Muguna but the two told the court that they couldn’t locate the suspect or reach him through phone.

On February, 10, 2024, Muguna was rearrested immediately he came into the country from Uganda and he has been hiding in Mombasa.

This week, Muguna was presented back in court for his sentencing.

Mpeketoni Resident Magistrate in Lamu West Eugene Pascal Nabwana awarded Muguna 10- year jail term after proving to the court that indeed Muguna has been trafficking in drugs.

“The court has proved beyond reasonable doubt that indeed Muguna has been trafficking in drugs specifically bhang, facilitating the illegal trade in the entire county. The court is hereby sentencing the accused person to 10 years in prison. However, he has 14 days to appeal this judgement,” said Mr Nabwana.