Kenya has faced a troubling trend of its citizens being implicated in drug trafficking activities abroad, leading to severe legal repercussions. This issue not only tarnishes the nation’s reputation but also highlights the vulnerabilities exploited by international drug cartels.
Below is an overview of notable cases involving Kenyans arrested and convicted for drug trafficking overseas, along with the punishments they received.
1. Margaret Nduta Macharia – Vietnam
In March 2025, 37-year-old Margaret Nduta Macharia was sentenced to death by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She was arrested in July 2023 while transiting to Laos and found in possession of over two kilograms of cocaine concealed in a false bottom of her suitcase.
Nduta claimed she was hired by a Kenyan man known only as John, who paid her $1,300 and covered her travel expenses. Despite her defense of ignorance regarding the suitcase’s contents, the court held her accountable for the narcotics.
Vietnam enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws, with trafficking of more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine punishable by death.
2. Olivia Singaniabe Munoko – China
In 2006, 26-year-old university student Olivia Singaniabe Munoko was arrested at Guangzhou Bai Yun International Airport, China, for smuggling approximately 1.8 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to life imprisonment.
3. Deborah Donde and Emily Gathoni – Malaysia
In 2006, Deborah Donde, daughter of former Gem MP Joe Donde, and her friend Emily Gathoni were arrested in Malaysia on suspicion of drug trafficking after being found in a room where four kilograms of marijuana were seized.
They were later released after tests for marijuana consumption returned negative, and Deborah noted that she was a victim of circumstance.
4. Peter Amisi Obonyo – China
In May 2008, Peter Amisi Obonyo was arrested by the Shenzhen anti-smugglers bureau en route to Guangzhou Province from Hong Kong, attempting to smuggle 1.5 kilograms of heroin in 125 pellets. He was sentenced to death a month later, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
5. Leah Mweru Kimani – China
In 2008, Leah Mweru Kimani was apprehended in China with 1,323 grams of heroin found in her luggage. She was sentenced to death.
6. Christine Nyabera Ongowo – China
In 2008, Chinese authorities incarcerated Christine Nyabera Ongowo for drug trafficking and sentenced her to death.
7. Judith Achieng Odoyo – Malaysia
In 2012, Judith Achieng Odoyo was arrested at Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Malaysia with 3,747.63 grams of syabu (crystal methamphetamine). She was found guilty in 2013 and sentenced to death.
8. Floviance Owino – China
In May 2013, Floviance Owino was arrested at Guangzhou Baiyuan Airport for drug smuggling and sentenced to death by hanging in 2015.
Diplomatic negotiations led to the suspension of her execution for two years, pending a review of her case.
9. Rose Achieng Ojala – Malaysia
In 2017, Rose Achieng Ojala was sentenced to death in Malaysia after being found guilty of possessing methamphetamine she attempted to smuggle into the country.
She had swallowed 68 capsules and concealed three in her private organs.
10. Mariam Mweke – India
In June 2019, 36-year-old Mariam Mweke, who had been living in India illegally, was arrested on allegations of running an international drug trafficking ring and evading trial.
She was suspected of operating an underground ring since 2016 following the expiry of her visa and was arrested at her hideout in the Nalasopala area of Mumbai.
11. Unidentified Kenyan Woman – Hong Kong
In 2023, a 35-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested in Hong Kong for smuggling one kilogram of a narcotic substance, believed to be cocaine, into the city.
She had concealed the drugs inside her body, held in 67 pellets with an estimated street value of HK$900,000 (approximately Ksh.15.4 million).
12. Unidentified Kenyan Man – India
In December 2024, a Kenyan man was arrested in India for attempting to smuggle cocaine worth $1.44 million (Ksh.186 million). Indian customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport apprehended the suspect with the drugs concealed in his stomach.
13. Simon Wambua Mbuvi – China
In November 2018, 44-year-old Simon Wambua Mbuvi was arrested in China for trafficking approximately 947 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach.
The Intermediate People’s Court of Guangzhou Municipality sentenced him to life imprisonment. Under Chinese law, trafficking one kilogram or more of certain drugs can result in the death penalty, so his sentence was life imprisonment due to the quantity being just under this threshold.
14. Samuel Uche and Geoffrey Onchangu Ondieki – Kenya
In 2017, Nigerian national Samuel Uche and Kenyan Geoffrey Onchangu Ondieki were arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi for trafficking heroin. Uche was found
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