By Ongaga Ongaga
A Mombasa-based human rights defender has been charged with allegedly trafficking two minors for sexual exploitation and committing sexual offences against them.
Caleb Okumu Ngwena appeared before Shanzu Law Courts, where Resident Magistrate Vincent Odhiambo read him two counts of trafficking in persons, under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act.
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The prosecution alleges that on the night of August 25 and 26, 2026, Ngwena moved two children, aged 17 and 16, from Kiembeni Village in Kisauni, Mombasa County, to Kiambu County for purposes of sexual exploitation.
He also faces a separate charge of defilement under the Sexual Offences Act over an alleged incident said to have occurred in Kiambu County on August 26.
The accused faces two additional counts of allegedly committing indecent acts with a child.
Ngwena denied all the charges and pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court.
His lawyers asked the court to release him on reasonable bond terms. However, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele and Prosecution Counsel Orina Sagini urged the court to consider the seriousness of the allegations when determining the bail application.
The court granted Ngwena a bond of KSh800,000 with one surety, or an alternative cash bail of KSh500,000 with one contact person.
The case will return to court on October 1, 2026, for pre-trial directions and the fixing of hearing dates.
The charges are allegations at this stage, and the accused remains presumed innocent unless proved guilty by a court.
-This story was first shared by DCI.
