NAIROBI, KENYA – The High Court on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, granted Nancy Kigunzu Indoveria, popularly known as ‘Mathe wa Ngara’, a KSh 500,000 bond in her ongoing narcotics trafficking case, reversing an earlier decision by a lower court. The ruling by Justice James Wakiaga marks a pivotal moment in a legal battle that has captivated the nation and intensified scrutiny on Kenya's war against drug trafficking.

Ms. Kigunzu was granted release with a surety of a similar amount and must adhere to strict conditions, including reporting to the investigating officer every 30 days. Justice Wakiaga explicitly warned her against engaging in any similar offenses while out on bond, a condition underscoring the gravity of the charges she faces. The decision, delivered Wednesday morning EAT, allows Ms. Kigunzu to be released from custody pending the continuation of her trial.

This ruling overturns a September 14, 2024, decision by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Magistrate Renee Kitangwa, who had denied her bail, deeming her a potential flight risk. In contrast, her two co-accused, David Ochieng and Christopher Odipo, had been released on a KSh 1 million bond each. Ms. Kigunzu’s legal team, which includes prominent lawyers Danstan Omari, Sophie Nekesa, and Martina Swiga, successfully appealed the lower court's decision, assuring the High Court of her compliance with all set conditions.

A Case with Deep Roots

Ms. Kigunzu’s current legal troubles began on August 9, 2024, when she was arrested in a raid at Georgina Apartments in Juja, Kiambu County. During the operation, authorities allegedly seized 18.3 kilograms of cannabis with an estimated street value of KSh 6 million. She was subsequently arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts on August 12, 2024, where she pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking narcotics and conspiracy to traffic narcotics.

This was not her first high-profile encounter with law enforcement. Ms. Kigunzu was initially arrested on August 21, 2023, in connection with a major drug bust in Nairobi's Ngara area, where police recovered nearly KSh 13.4 million in cash stashed in sacks. While she was granted a KSh 1 million cash bail in that case on December 21, 2023, the recovered funds were later forfeited to the state. In an April 2024 ruling, High Court Justice Esther Maina declared the money to be proceeds of crime after Ms. Kigunzu failed to provide a credible explanation for its source.

The State's Widening Net

The criminal case is running parallel to a significant financial investigation by Kenya's Assets Recovery Agency (ARA). The agency has described Ms. Kigunzu’s operation as a “complex criminal mechanism” used to acquire, distribute, and sell narcotics while laundering the proceeds through assets registered in the names of relatives and associates. The ARA has since secured court orders to freeze at least eleven properties, including parcels of land in Juja and Vihiga County, an apartment block, and several high-end vehicles, all suspected to be linked to the illicit trade. Rental income from the Juja properties has been ordered to be deposited into an ARA-controlled account at Kenya Commercial Bank.

Implications for Kenya's War on Drugs

The ‘Mathe wa Ngara’ case highlights the intricate and often challenging nature of prosecuting suspected drug lords in Kenya, a country that serves as both a significant transit hub and a growing consumption market for narcotics. According to the 2025 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the quantity of dangerous drugs seized by police nearly doubled in 2024, rising to 26,858 kilograms from 14,259 kilograms in 2023, indicating escalating trafficking activities. High-profile arrests and asset seizures represent tactical victories for law enforcement agencies like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the ARA. However, securing convictions against well-financed suspects who can afford extensive legal challenges remains a persistent hurdle. The judiciary's decision to grant bond, while a constitutional right, will be closely watched by the public and law enforcement as a test of the justice system's ability to balance individual liberties with the imperative to dismantle organized crime networks that pose a significant threat to national security and public health.