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Detectives in Thika have arrested two foreign nationals in connection with a suspected stupefying offence, an incident that has once again highlighted concerns over drug-facilitated crimes in Kenya.
The two suspects, aged 56 and 40 and believed to be from the Middle East, were apprehended after allegedly attempting to carry out the crime at a mobile phone shop in Thika town.
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Investigators said the pair entered the shop posing as customers interested in buying a phone, but their behaviour immediately aroused suspicion from the attendant.
Police revealed that the shopkeeper grew uneasy after recognising the two men as possible suspects linked to a similar incident at a nearby shop about a month earlier.
The attendant quickly reached out to another trader in the area who had previously fallen victim to a comparable scheme.
In a statement shared on X, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the second shop owner arrived at the scene and confronted the suspects, positively identifying them as the individuals who had allegedly duped him of Sh15,000 a month earlier.
The identification escalated tensions as members of the public gathered after an alarm was raised. Witnesses reported that emotions ran high, with some residents threatening to take the law into their own hands.
Police officers, however, intervened in time and rescued the two men from a potential mob attack.
“The alarm was raised, attracting members of the public who attempted to administer instant justice. Officers arrived promptly and rescued the suspects from possible mob violence,” the DCI said.
The two are currently being held at Thika Police Station as investigations continue ahead of their arraignment in court.
A stupefying offence involves administering, or attempting to administer, drugs or substances to incapacitate a victim in order to commit another crime. Under Kenyan law, such offences are considered serious and attract heavy penalties.
These crimes often involve spiking food or drinks to facilitate theft, robbery, or sexual assault, particularly targeting unsuspecting individuals in social settings. In severe cases, offenders may face lengthy prison terms, including life imprisonment.
Kenya has recently experienced a rise in reported stupefying incidents, especially in major towns such as Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa, prompting repeated public warnings.
Police have urged the public to stay alert, avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers, and report any suspicious activity as investigations into the Thika case continue.
