Why stupefying business has gone unabated

An intricate web of organised criminals involving ladies and their male accomplices who at time lope in attendants of entertainment joints especially in major towns are behind a racket that stupefy seemingly well to do revellers and later steal from them.

Cases of cases of partygoers having their drinks spiked  are still rampant and police have continued to sensitize members of the public on safety.

At times, the victims who tag along their would-be one night stand partners are drugged ad their houses swept clean.

According to recent police reports arising from complaints filed by victims, the modus operandi of the perpetrators manifest a common trend targeting banks visa cards, Mpesa accounts and worthwhile electronic gadgets.

Women aged between 19 and 30 are said to be the easy baits used to drug their victims in clubs using Rohypnol, a drug used to treat severe insomnia and assist with anaesthesia.

These drugs are openly sold by pharmacists despite the fact that it is supposed to be prescribed and administered by licensed health professionals.

The symptoms of drink spiking are often similar to being drunk, and include slurred speech, dizziness, drowsiness, sickness, headaches, confusion and passing out.

Recently, a reveller in Mombasa lost Sh596,000 after his flopped attempts to spend a steamy night of heated passion with a damsel almost ended tragically.

The man’s drink was stupefied at VIP Club Volume in Shanzu before she swept his bank accounts clean.

According to preliminary police findings, the man and his supposed new lover turned robber, left the club at around 4am when the lady only identified as Wambui, whispered to the man that it was about time.

Hand to hand, they staggered out of the club and hailed a cab that dropped them at Seville apartments, where the man had reserved a suite.

According to the victim, they took a shower before they went back to the room where he took a glass of juice that knocked him out a few minutes later.

He passed out until the next afternoon, when the apartment’s steward knocked on his door.

He discovered that his mobile phones, laptop, ATM cards and other valuables were missing.

Elsewhere, a man in Thika lost Sh100,000, his laptop and house electric appliances after he was spiked at a club by a lady.

The man took the lady home at 3am in the morning, where he passed out until the next afternoon where he discovered that his valuables were missing.

He relied on the apartment’s CCTV footage to identify the girl and report it to the police.

In March last year, two suspects believed to be behind the dangerous trade of spiking revellers’ drinks in Kiambu County were arrested.

The two, Irene Njoki Irungu and her accomplice Peter Irungu Wambugu were arrested by detectives based at Kiambaa.

According to DCI, the two were notorious for stupefying unsuspecting revellers in Kiambu County and its environs.

Detectives recovered dozens of SIM cards, mobile phones and wristwatches suspected to have been stolen from her ‘mchele’ victims were recovered from her custody.

Last year, Kasarani Sub- County Police Commander (SCPC) Peter Mwanzo put at least 18 bar and club owners on notice over the rampant cases of revellers being stupefied and robbed.

The police boss summoned the owners to Kasarani police station for a meeting after cases of revellers being drugged and robbed at their entertainment joints increased.

Mwanzo clarified that he had urged the bar owners to take responsibility and increase security measures in their establishments to avoid cases of robbery or they will also be charged for aiding and abetting as some of these incidents have turned fatal.

He warned bar owners that they would be held accountable if these cases were reported in their joints.

He also directed the business owners to install CCTV cameras in crucial spots in their premises to help catch criminals.

“I have warned them that if a reveller reports that they were stupefied at one of the establishments, the owner will also be charged because they should know what is happening at their places of business,” he said.

Sportsview, the Naivas supermarket neighbourhood at the GSU roundabout, and Seasons in Kasarani are particularly busy — with several banks, hotels, stalls, workshops, boutiques, and supermarkets dotting the area.

The Kasarani police boss stated that they have learned that women are preying on men in clubs and spiking their drinks before robbing them of their valuables.

He also asked the bar owners to invest in bouncers who will keep an eye out for suspicious patrons, and also restrain men who may be drugged from going home with strangers who could potentially rob them.

Bar owners were also directed to hire waiters with integrity noting that some of them work in cahoots with criminals.

Among the clubs that police say have high cases of stupefying are Madola Lounge which is located within Hunter and Santon, Export Villa Lounge Club in Mwiki, Switch Club and Car Wash Club located less than 200 meters from the police station, Small Villa Lounge and Draggon Club, Uncle Sam all located in Githurai 44.

Q-West Club in Kahawa West, Homeland Club opposite Garden City Mall along Thika Road, Roasters Club also located along Thika Road, Castle Inn in Thome Estate.

The popular Quivers Club along Thika Road is also on the list, others are Left Club, Claret Club and Loft all located within Garden Estate.

Others the police said will target include Artic Club, Cocorico Club both in the Mirema area and By-Pass Villa along the Northern by-pass in Kahawa West.