NAIROBI, Kenya – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed 17 fresh charges against 15 officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) over the alleged kidnapping and mistreatment of two Indian nationals and their Kenyan driver in 2022.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Thursday, August 27, 2026, that the suspects are scheduled to appear before the Kahawa Law Courts on September 7 to take plea.
The accused officers are Peter Gachiku, James Tanki, Joseph Mbugua, David Kipsoi, Joseph Mbaya, John Kamau and Hillary Kipchumba.
Others are Stephen Matunda, Simon Gikonyo, Paul Muriithi, Bonface Mtulia, Elikana Mugendi, Fredrick Kamau, John Mavhari and Michael Bett.
Officers face kidnapping and torture-related charges
According to the ODPP, the suspects will face several charges arising from the alleged incident, including kidnapping with intent to murder, conspiracy to commit a felony and subjecting individuals to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The prosecution said the charges include kidnapping with intent to murder contrary to Section 258 of the Penal Code, conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code, and offences under Section 51(3) of the National Intelligence Service Act, No. 28 of 2012.
“They will also face charges relating to forgery, committing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and cooperating in the execution of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” the ODPP said.
The fresh case therefore contains allegations extending beyond the alleged abduction to include forgery and various forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Indian nationals allegedly intercepted in Nairobi
The prosecution alleges that the incident occurred on July 22, 2022, in Nairobi County.
According to the ODPP, the suspects allegedly used four motor vehicles to trail and intercept a vehicle carrying Indian nationals Mohammed Zaid Sami Kidwai and Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, together with their Kenyan driver, Nicodemus Mwania Mwange.
The prosecution told the court that the officers were accompanied by other individuals whose identities have not yet been disclosed.
The allegations relate to the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the three men and the conduct of the individuals involved in their alleged interception and subsequent treatment.
Fresh case follows termination of earlier proceedings
The ODPP said the decision to bring the new charges followed the termination of earlier murder proceedings against the officers by the High Court.
According to prosecutors, the termination of the earlier case cleared the way for the DPP to institute fresh proceedings based on the evidence available.
“The new charges were filed after the High Court terminated the earlier murder proceedings against the accused persons, paving the way for the prosecution to institute fresh charges based on the available evidence,” the ODPP said.
The 15 officers will now face the new charges when they appear at Kahawa Law Courts on September 7.
