How Senior Military Officer Lost Sh1.5 Million to Eldoret 'Mchele' Gang while Partying

In a startling incident last Friday, a senior military officer fell victim to a sophisticated theft scheme at an Eldoret nightclub resulting in a loss of Sh1.5 million.

The officer had met a female companion that evening, describing her as unfamiliar with the city yet she exhibited a surprising familiarity with the local establishments. Throughout the night, she used the officer's phone to make payments via M-Pesa for food and drinks. The pair left the club at 3 am for a nearby guesthouse. Upon waking the next morning, the officer found himself alone, with the woman having absconded with cash and funds withdrawn through various means, including mobile banking and ATM transactions. This incident sheds light on a growing concern in Kenya known as "mchele" or "Pishori," where criminals employ sedative drugs to incapacitate their victims before robbing them.

Despite the significant financial loss, the officer reportedly hesitated to involve law enforcement, fearing potential repercussions for his family. The Eldoret incident is not isolated, as similar cases have been reported across Kenya. In November 2023, Uasin Gishu County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi ordered an investigation into an Eldoret nightclub linked to multiple drugging and theft cases. This action followed a separate incident where a woman lost Sh38,000 after being drugged at the same establishment. Over a four-month period, Eldoret courts have seen more than five cases related to such crimes.

The phenomenon extends beyond Eldoret, with reported cases in other parts of the country. In Mombasa, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) recently reported a man losing Sh596,000 from his bank account after being drugged by a woman at a nightclub. Similarly, in Kitengela, Kajiado County, a man faced charges of drugging and stealing Sh126,000 from a woman at a hotel. The drugs employed in these crimes are primarily medical sedatives, including Rohypnol, Valium, and ketamine. These substances, often sourced from unscrupulous pharmacists, can induce effects such as slurred speech, poor coordination, dizziness, and memory loss. Rohypnol, a prescription drug used for severe insomnia and anaesthesia, is particularly notorious for its misuse in these criminal activities.

The term "mchele," derived from the Swahili word for rice, refers to the rice-like appearance of the drugs used. This criminal trend has seen a significant uptick in recent years with perpetrators, often women, targeting unsuspecting individuals in social settings. Victims typically regain consciousness hours or days later, only to discover their valuables and money stolen. Law enforcement agencies have been taking steps to address this growing issue. In one notable case, four men were apprehended for drugging and robbing passengers on a bus. The driver, noticing the unusual behaviour of the passengers, drove directly to a police station, leading to the suspects' arrest.