By TONY MUSISI
Police in Uasin Gishu County are pursuing a smartly dressed woman who allegedly drugged former 2008 Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop following an encounter at a high-end entertainment club on the outskirts of Eldoret City five days ago.
Kiprop, who holds the rank of Chief Inspector in the Kenya National Police Service, allegedly lost a total of Sh43,000 to the woman, who remains at large after she allegedly laced his drink.
The woman is said to have stolen Sh8,000 in cash from Kiprop’s pocket and transferred another Sh35,000 from his mobile phone at a lodging they had booked after their night-out drinking spree.
Langas OCPD Sephania Kamuren confirmed the incident, saying police were yet to trace the woman but had intensified investigations to bring her to book.
“The lady stole from Kiprop Sh8,000 in cash and another Sh35,000 from his mobile phone, but she did not make away with his mobile phone,” Kamuren said.
Kiprop, speaking to the media in Eldoret, narrated how he encountered the woman, whom he described as appearing disciplined and of high social standing, at the entertainment club last Friday night.
“I was having my drink alone when I got attracted to the lady, who was also having her drink while seated alone just a few metres from where I was sitting,” Kiprop said.
According to the former athlete, he had no reason to suspect that the woman would allegedly drug and rob him, given the manner in which she conducted herself while they were drinking together at the popular club.
“I have never been drugged by any lady in my drinking life. Whenever I want to go for a short call, I always carry my glass of drink with me,” he said.
Kiprop said that as they continued enjoying their drinks, he struck an agreement with the woman that resulted in both of them proceeding to a lodging in the Annex area along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway, where they intended to spend the night together.
However, he said he developed a severe reaction after they arrived at the lodging, leaving him unconscious and unable to walk until about 3pm the following day.
“While in the room, I suffered a severe reaction, falling asleep and not being able to walk until 3pm the following day, which was a Saturday,” Kiprop said.
He said that when he regained consciousness, the woman he had hosted at the lodging was nowhere to be seen.
It was then that he discovered that Sh8,000 in cash had allegedly been taken from his wallet, while another Sh35,000 had been transferred from his mobile phone.
“When I regained my senses, I decided to rush to Elgon View Hospital, where I was treated and discharged before making my way to Langas Police Station to report the incident involving my alleged drugging at a club,” Kiprop said.
The former international athlete has since cautioned residents and other revelers against consuming drinks with strangers, amid concerns over alleged cases of people being drugged at entertainment establishments in the region.
He warned that such incidents could have serious consequences, particularly as the festive season approaches and entertainment venues become increasingly busy.
“As we approach the festive season, I am warning revelers in entertainment joints to be cautious about whom they are enjoying their drinks with, lest they are drugged by unsuspecting people who pretend to be nice, disciplined and honest, only to turn out to be robbers or killers,” Kiprop said.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist in identifying or locating the woman to report to the relevant authorities.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
