Tanzanian Couple Arrested Over Suspected Mombasa Stupefying Robbery Network
Police said a search of the suspects’ residence resulted in the recovery of an HP laptop and an iPhone 17 Pro Max believed to belong to the complainant.
Police in Mombasa arrest a Tanzanian couple, Pius Paskale Frugenze, 52, and his wife Redempta Revelian Kuleta, 47, over a suspected stupefying and robbery syndicate targeting bus passengers. Photo: DCI.
By Robert Mutasi
Police in Mombasa have arrested a Tanzanian couple suspected of being part of a criminal network targeting bus passengers through stupefying before stealing their belongings.
The suspects, identified as 52-year-old Pius Paskale Frugenze and his 47-year-old wife, Redempta Revelian Kuleta, were arrested at their residence in Magongo following investigations into a robbery reported earlier this month.
The case was reported on September 18, 2026, after a passenger travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa aboard a Dreamline bus allegedly lost consciousness during the journey.
According to investigators, the passenger was seated next to a person who is suspected to have drugged him. He reportedly became unconscious and only regained awareness later while receiving treatment at Tudor Sub-County Hospital.
By the time he recovered, his bag and other personal belongings were missing.
Detectives based at Makupa Police Station opened investigations and followed several leads as they sought to establish what happened to the passenger and trace the stolen property.
The inquiry eventually took officers to Magongo, where they arrested the Tanzanian couple.
Police said a search of the suspects’ residence resulted in the recovery of an HP laptop and an iPhone 17 Pro Max believed to belong to the complainant.
The discovery prompted detectives to conduct a wider search of the premises.
They reportedly found several other mobile phones, 20 phone chargers, 10 wristwatches and 20 wallets. Assorted clothing was also recovered, together with substances suspected by investigators to be stupefying drugs.
Police are now investigating whether the items recovered from the house are linked to other passengers who may have fallen victim to similar incidents.
The arrests could provide investigators with leads on the suspected network and help establish whether the couple acted alone or with other individuals.
The two suspects remain in police custody as officers complete the investigation and prepare them to face charges in court.
The recovered property and substances have been retained as exhibits as detectives continue with the case.
Police have previously warned members of the public, particularly travellers, to remain cautious when interacting with strangers during journeys and to report suspicious incidents to authorities.
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