Eldoret Rights Activist Arraigned Over Drug Trafficking, Denies Charges
Akumu denied both counts.
Juma Akumu a human right activist with the Uasin Gishu CSO Networks/Photo Lloyd Ayego
By Hubzmedia.
An Eldoret based human rights defender Benson Juma Akumu has been
arraigned in court in connection with two counts related to narcotic
drugs contrary to Section 3(1) as Read section 3(2)(a) narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances control Cap 245 Laws of Kenya
The activist appeared before Eldoret Resident Magistrate Naima Chelagat Kirui charged with trafficking 56 rolls of cannabis with a
street value of sh 2,800 which were not in medical preparation form.
He committed the said criminal offence on October 18, 2026 at the Eldoret central police station in Turbo Sun County Uasin Gishu County.
Akumu faced a second count which stated that on the same date and place he was found trafficking 52 grams of heroin sealed in straw line tubes with a street value of sh 15,600.
Akumu denied both counts.
He was charged with an alternative charge of resisting arrest by police officers.
According to court documents, Akumu is accused of resisting arrest by
police Constable Collins Rono and his colleague Walter Tekei by grabbing station grills while the police officers were acting in the execution of the lawful duties.
He committed the said resisting arrest charges on October 18, 2026 at the Eldoret central police station in Uasin Gishu County.
Akumu was nabbed by police detectives at the station where he had reportedly gone to secure the release of one of the people who had
been arrested by police for various criminal offences.
He rushed to the police station following a distress call from one of the suspects who were in custody who needed his help as a human rights defender.
The court heard that on arrival at the station the two officers at the police station conducted a search of the activist only to bust him
with illegal substances before booking him in the police cells.
Akumu pleaded with the Presiding Magistrate to grant him a lenient bond or cash bail terms arguing that he was not a flight risk as claimed by the arresting officers.
He informed the court that his place of abode was well known and there was no way he could jump bail or fail to attend court as required.
“Your honor, the charges leveled against me are all framed up just to silence me from fighting for the rights of victims of police
injustice,” stated Akumu.
The activist further brought to the attention of the Magistrate the bad blood between him and the officer Commanding Eldoret police
station ( OCS ) James Lenaso.
He expressed fear for his life in the event the court issues orders that he be detained at the central police station noting that the OCS
had allegedly incited inmates to deal with him.
Your honor, I kindly request you to grant me reasonable cash bail or bond so that I don’t spend another night at the police station due to threats on my life from inmates who have been incited by the OCS to deal with me,” argued Akumu.
He claimed that it was the same OCS who orchestrated his arrest and later planted the said illegal substances on him with a view of
silencing him from championing for the rights of the defenseless in the society.
The prosecution stated it was not opposed to the accused person being freed on bond or cash bail.
In her verdict, Kirui ordered that the activist be released on a bond of sh 1.1 million or cash bail of sh 800,000.
“The accused person is hereby freed on a sh 1.1 million or deposit cash bail of sh 800, 000,” said Kirui in her judgment on bail terms.
She directed that the matter be mentioned on November 5,2026.
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