A German national who was arrested in Nairobi over suspected child trafficking and defilement of at least 20 boys has been charged.
Thomas Scheller, who has been in police custody since May 4, was charged with six counts, including dealing with child pornography, child trafficking and raping at least four boys.
The prosecution told the court that Scheller, who is in the country illegally, is a habitual pedophile who targets young boys.
Before escaping to Kisumu, the prosecution said, the German national had a pending case at the Ukunda Police Station in Kwale County.
While in Nyalenda, Kisumu County, the court heard, the Scheller lured his victims to his rented house where he exposed the minors to pornographic materials before defiling them.
According to police investigations, one of the German’s victims was defiled to such an extent that he has problems going for a long call.
At the time of his arrest earlier in May, the German national was in the company of a minor suspected to have been a victim of child trafficking and defilement.
After his arrest, the suspect led police to a lodging in Ngara, Nairobi where he allegedly spent with the minor between April 30 and May 4.
On Tuesday, the prosecution urged the court not to release the accused on bail, terming him a flight risk because he does not have a permanent home in Kenya.
Further, the prosecution claimed that the 71-year-old retired engineer, whom they suspect has defiled at least 20 boys, arrived in Kenya in 2018 from South Korea where he was convicted and sentenced to five years from 2013 to 2018.
The retired engineer, police told the court, has been receiving his monthly pension payments through an account registered in Ukunda.
Scheller, who pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him, will remain in remand until June 19, 2020, when he will appear for pre-trial.
