By Robert Mutasi 
Three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop has spoken publicly about an alleged drink-spiking incident in Eldoret that left him unconscious for several hours and reportedly cost him more than Sh43,000.
Kiprop, a former Olympic champion who also serves as a Chief Inspector of Police, said the incident happened on Friday, September 4, after he went out along Kisumu Road in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, to watch football and have drinks.
According to Kiprop, he met a woman at an entertainment spot and began interacting with her after noticing her sitting alone. He described her as being dressed in a yellow sweater and green trousers.
The two reportedly spent several hours talking and drinking before leaving the entertainment venue at about 3am on Saturday.
Kiprop said they bought some snacks before proceeding to a nearby guest house.
It was after checking into the establishment that he began experiencing unusual weakness, which he said left him unable to stand properly.
“Before we even settled down, I felt general body weakness and I could barely stand,” Kiprop said.
The athlete said he subsequently lost consciousness and could not remember what happened for several hours.
His next memory, according to his account, was waking up at about 4pm on Saturday and finding himself alone in the room.
“I don’t remember what happened afterwards. I only recall waking up at around 4 p.m., alone and confused,” he said.
Kiprop said he became suspicious after checking his belongings and discovering that Sh8,000 in cash was missing from his pocket.
He also claimed that another Sh35,000 had been withdrawn from his M-Pesa account, bringing the total amount he says he lost to more than Sh43,000.
The former champion said he was feeling unwell after regaining consciousness, including vomiting and experiencing continued weakness.
He sought medical attention at Elgon View Hospital, where he was treated and later discharged.
Kiprop subsequently reported the matter at Langas Police Station. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations took up the case as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident began.
Uasin Gishu Sub-County Police Commander Sephania Kamuren confirmed that a report had been made.
Kamuren said Kiprop’s statement indicated that he suspected an unknown substance had been used to spike his drink.
“I want to thank the officer known as Asbel Kiprop for highlighting this incident. It’s not easy for a person of that calibre to come out and reveal such a shameful incident in public,” Kamuren said.
Kiprop had earlier shared details of the experience on Facebook, describing it as one of the worst experiences he had encountered during his years of enjoying nightlife in different parts of the world.
He said his decision to speak publicly was intended to warn other people about the potential dangers of accepting drinks from strangers or leaving their drinks unattended.
“I know many people cannot say what I’m telling you about the incident. I have offered myself to tell my story to create awareness, to let these young generations learn from me and avoid such unfortunate incidents in future,” he said.
The incident has renewed attention on alleged drink-spiking cases linked to nightlife establishments, where victims can be rendered unconscious and subsequently robbed.
The term “mchele babes” is commonly used in Kenya to describe women accused of drugging men for purposes of robbery, although such descriptions should not be taken as evidence against any particular individual without an investigation and due process.
Kiprop has not publicly identified the woman he says he was with, and police had not announced an arrest by the time of reporting.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged withdrawal from his M-Pesa account, the missing cash and the substance he suspects was used to incapacitate him remain subject to investigation.
Authorities are expected to establish what happened after Kiprop lost consciousness and determine whether a criminal offence was committed.
The case has also highlighted the importance of caution among people visiting entertainment establishments, particularly when interacting with strangers.
Police have repeatedly urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid accepting drinks from people they do not know well and seek immediate medical attention and report to authorities when they suspect they have been drugged.
For Kiprop, the experience has turned into a public warning to other nightlife revelers, particularly those who may underestimate the risks associated with drinking in unfamiliar company.
The investigation remains ongoing, and any person implicated in the incident would be presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.