‘Mchele Babe’ Arrested in Ruiru as Detectives Uncover Drugging and Theft Syndicate

Detectives have arrested a suspect linked to a stupefying and theft syndicate targeting unsuspecting revellers within Nairobi and its environs. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation launched after a victim reported the incident at Embakasi Police Station. 

According to the report, the complainant had been socialising at a city entertainment joint when he was approached by an unidentified woman shortly after playing a game of pool. The woman reportedly hugged him, after which he began to feel dizzy. Moments later, the victim left the premises in her company but lost consciousness along the way.

When he later regained awareness at his residence, he discovered that several valuables had been stolen. Among the missing items included two laptops (HP and Lenovo), a Samsung S22 mobile phone, cash amounting to Ksh. 168,000, and jewellery valued at approximately Ksh. 50,000.

Using forensic leads, detectives traced the suspect to Kihunguro area in Ruiru, where Jane Wangare Ndungu was arrested at Havilla Apartments. A search conducted at the premises led to the recovery of numerous suspected stolen items, including 40 mobile phones, 14 laptops, and an iPad with a keyboard. Some of the recovered items were positively identified as belonging to the complainant.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is linked to an organised criminal network that uses a stupefying substance, commonly known as “mchele”, to incapacitate victims. Once subdued, victims are robbed of valuables and, in some cases, sensitive financial information, with the stolen electronics believed to be resold through the black market.

The suspect has since been detained at Embakasi Police Station as detectives intensify investigations to identify and dismantle the wider syndicate behind the incidents.