Kenya: Two Students Denied Bail — Nation Kenya
A court in Eldoret, Kenya, has denied bail to two university students charged in a case involving the publication and distribution of child pornography. As Nation Kenya reports, both accused will remain in custody.
Court decision
Chief Magistrate Caroline Wattima dismissed the bail applications of 21-year-old Eugene Kipruto Kangogo and 26-year-old Manasse Kiptanui Kosgei. She found the prosecution's concerns regarding the nature and consequences of the alleged offences to be justified.
Both are fourth-year students and deny all charges brought against them. Kangogo, who studies mathematics and physics at Meru University of Science and Technology, told the court that he was due to sit examinations this week. Kosgei studies at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and was supposed to return to classes the previous Monday.
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Charges and further action
According to court documents, the students are accused of conspiring with other people who have not been charged to publish and distribute child pornography in Kenya between January 1, 2025, and August 16, 2026. They are also accused of deliberately downloading and storing on an Infinix smartphone digital images and videos containing depictions of minors.
Kangogo is separately charged with receiving more than 2 million shillings in proceeds of crime through M-Pesa and other mobile payment services. According to the prosecution, the funds were linked to the sale of child pornography.
The court ordered the prosecution to organize and ensure the preservation of physical, electronic and financial evidence within 30 days. State authorities were also instructed to immediately take measures to protect the victims. After securing the evidence, the prosecution must provide the defence with materials required for the consideration of the case. The next hearing for further directions was scheduled for October 13, 2026.
