An Eldoret court has ordered five university students to stay in police custody for seven days while detectives probe an alleged child sexual abuse and cybercrime network that targeted children aged between two and seven.
Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga made the ruling after rejecting a request from the prosecution to hold the suspects for 21 days. He directed that they be held at Eldoret Central Police Station until November 3, 2026, when the case will be mentioned for plea taking.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 22, appeared in court but did not plead because investigations are still underway. They come from Elgeyo Marakwet County and are reportedly studying data science and education. Through their lawyer, Christopher Arap Mitei, they argued that a long period in detention could damage their academic prospects.
Mr Ndwiga was unmoved by that argument. Addressing the suspects directly, he said their ages showed they were mature adults, then sent them back into custody.
According to an affidavit filed by Sergeant Irene Oduor of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, the five were arrested on October 9 in a targeted operation at Blue House premises in Nchiru, Meru County. Detectives allege that the group recorded footage of nude minors and shared it with others.
Investigators are now concentrating on digital evidence, identifying the children involved and tracing financial transactions they suspect are linked to the network. Prosecutors told the court that officers recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, storage devices and wireless routers. All of these items must undergo forensic examination at the National Forensic Laboratory.
Sergeant Oduor said the inquiry also aims to establish how far the alleged offences extend and to identify other possible suspects. She argued that the demands of forensic extraction, victim identification and financial tracing made it practically impossible to assemble a complete file within 24 hours.
Without such a file, she said, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) could not make an informed charging decision.
Intelligence gathered by detectives indicates that the suspected network had no permanent base. It is believed to have moved between Meru, Nairobi, Iten, Kapsowar and Eldoret.
The suspects are expected to take plea when the case is mentioned on November 3.
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