FORMER MP'S DAUGHTER AMONG STUDENTS HELD OVER DRUGS

One of the two Kenyan students arrested in connection with drug
trafficking in Malasyia is the daughter of former Gem MP, Mr Joe Donde.

A Malaysian newspaper, New Straits Times, on Wednesday reported that
all the four students had tested positive for marijuana.

A distraught Donde called The Standard on Thursday to break the news
that his daughter, Deborah, was one of the two students in police
cells in Kuala Lumpur.

"I have been in trauma since we were informed that she had been
arrested over the allegations," he said.

Donde said he and his wife were shocked beyond belief on being
informed that their 18-year-old daughter, could be hanged if found
guilty.

Malaysian laws set a mandatory death sentence for anyone caught with
200g or more of marijuana.

Drugs was found in the form of four slabs

Deborah is in her second year studying architecture at Linkoqueen
University in Kuala Lumpur.

Like her well-known sister, Eva, who has represented the country in
international swimming competitions, Deborah is also a good swimmer.

The Malaysian newspaper on Thgursday quoted the Sepang Area Police
Chief Superintendent, Mr Zahedi Ayob, saying a team of policemen,
comprising two officers and 14 personnel from the narcotics
department arrested the suspects at 2.30pm on Saturday.

"The seized ganja (marijuana) was found in the form of four slabs
while some was contained in small plastic packets, weighing 4kg in
total," said the newspaper.

The police officer, who said the case was the first drugs arrest in
the town, told the newspaper that initial investigation showed that
the drug was to be sold to college students.

Deborah assured parents she is innocent

The former MP, whose wife flew out to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday night,
said they got information about the arrest on Tuesday, soon after the
two students were arrested alongside two others-- one from Eritrea
and the other from Saudi Arabia.

The police in Kuala Lumpur informed the Kenya High Commission and an
envoy was sent to the police station where they were being held.

Donde said the official called his wife from the police station and
informed them of the arrest. The former MP said they also talked to
Deborah, who assured them that she was innocent.

The police are expected to complete their investigation on Friday and
give their verdict on whether the students would be charged with the
offence.

Donde did not disclose the identity of the other student, saying it
was upon the parents of the victim to do so.

'She was totally unaware of what was in the house'

He said Deborah had informed him that she and two other students had
visited the residence of the Saudi Arabian student when the local
police raided the premise.

"She was totally unaware of what was in the house when she went
there. She has talked to her mother and explained that in detail,
assuring us that she is innocent," said Donde.

"We are crossing our fingers as we wait for the verdict tomorrow
(Friday) because if they are convicted it would be a big blow to us,"
he said.

Donde said he had disclosed the identity of his daughter to assure
Kenyans that she was innocent.

He said Deborah told her mother how she and other students were
shocked to see police carrying out four kilos of the drug, with an
estimated street value Sh140,722.

He defended his daughter against the claims, saying he had known her
well and she does not handle drugs.

"She was in St Austin's Academy with her sister Eva and I know she
cannot do that. Ask even former students at the school," added Donde.

Officials at the ministry of foreign affairs said they would issue a
statement on Friday.