Kenyan Police in Ruiru has arrested three women suspected of being part of a ‘Mchele Babes gang’ that target middle-aged to older men at popular drinking spots and spike their drinks before robbing them.
The phenomenon is known in slang as ‘Mchele’ which interpretes as rice in Kenya –because the drugs used by the thieves resemble grains of rice.
The three women have been identified as Ms Hellen Wambui, 36, Ms Irene Wairimu, 30 and Ms Fidelis Wambui, 34.
The women are said to sprinkle ‘Mchele’ into the drink or food of targets, who are usually too drunk to notice – to make them fall asleep before rummaging through the victims’ belongings, taking money, jewelry, mobile phones, credits cards and sometimes emptying their bank accounts, LIB reports.
In a statement on Monday, February 13, 2023, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said that three men had turned up at a local club identified as Green Spot Gardens located along the busy road and interacted with the three women before they were stupefied in the process.
‘Three men who were enjoying their drinks at a popular Nyama Choma and drinking joint located at Kamakis along the Eastern By-Pass, will be lucky to celebrate their Valentines day with their main, after being saved from a pack of pishori babes by a bar manager,’ the statement read.
‘The trio had checked into Green Spot Gardens yesterday afternoon to unwind as they planned for the week ahead.
‘They imbibed rounds of cold swallows to cool their esophageal glands as a kilo of goat ribs and kienyeji chicken which they had ordered roasted metres away, in the characteristic setup of drinking spots found along the popular weekend getaway.
‘And as the rounds of frothy waters quadrupled on their table, they suddenly spotted three women seated a table from theirs and decided to invite them for a bite.
‘Whether they were seated there before or not, none of the men could clearly recall. All that mattered to them was their presence at that very crucial moment.
‘Initially, the women pretended to be hesitant but one of the men quipped humorously Maitu, yumbukaga na kiria imeretie. (It flies with what it has swallowed)
‘That statement seemed to have worked the magic and the women giggled as they joined them in tearing away the marinated, juicy goat ribs and washed it down with rounds of drinks.
‘The men filled with boyish excitement enjoyed their new found company as hit song Wendo Wi Cama by popular Kikuyu musician Samidoh and Joyce Wamama rent the air, setting the mood for a happy ending.
‘Little did the men know that they had innocently invited a marauding pack of pishori babes whose intentions were not to have fun but to steal from them!
‘As the evening progressed, the ungrateful women laced the drinks with a stupefying substance and began wooing the men whispering that it was about time,’ the statement concluded.
