Government Breaks Silence on Russian Man Saga

The Government has broken its silence over a controversial case involving a Russian national accused of secretly recording and circulating intimate images of Kenyan women without their consent, terming the incident a grave violation of constitutional rights and a form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

In a press statement issued Monday in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services, Banna Wendot Cheptumo, said the State “strongly condemns the disturbing incident” and has activated a multi-agency response to address the matter.

“The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services strongly condemns the disturbing incident in which a foreign national is alleged to have secretly recorded and circulated intimate images of Kenyan women without their consent,” Cheptumo said.

She described the alleged actions as not only criminal but also unconstitutional, citing protections under Articles 28 and 31 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantee the right to human dignity and privacy.

“This act is not only a violation of personal dignity and privacy as protected under Articles 28 and 31 of the Constitution of Kenya, but also an affront to our national values, cultural integrity, and the safety of women and girls,” she stated.

The CS framed the case as part of a broader and growing concern around digital exploitation and online abuse, warning that such conduct undermines the country’s social fabric.

“This matter represents a serious form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and exploitation. As a Government, we view such violations not merely as criminal acts but as threats to the social fabric of our society, which is founded on respect, human dignity, and protection of vulnerable persons,” she said.

According to the statement, the Government has directed security, investigative and prosecutorial agencies to pursue the case with urgency, including working with international authorities due to its cross-border elements.

“The Government of Kenya is coordinating a whole-of-government response. Relevant security, investigative and prosecutorial agencies have been directed to pursue the matter with urgency, including collaboration with international authorities given the cross-border nature of the case,” Cheptumo said.

She added that any individual found culpable would face the full force of the law under the Penal Code, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act and other relevant statutes designed to protect women and children.

“Any individual found culpable will face the full force of Kenyan law under the Penal Code, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and all relevant statutes protecting women and children,” she warned.

Beyond enforcement, the Ministry signaled plans to strengthen policy and regulatory measures aimed at enhancing online safety and preventing digital exploitation.

The CS said her docket would work closely with stakeholders in the culture, tourism, hospitality and digital sectors to improve prevention, awareness and accountability mechanisms.

“Beyond enforcement, this Ministry will strengthen policy measures on online safety, protection from digital exploitation, and safeguarding of women and children in both physical and virtual spaces,” she said.

The Government also expressed solidarity with affected women and other survivors of gender-based violence, urging them to seek support through the National Gender-Based Violence Toll-Free Helpline 1195 for counselling, legal referrals and psychosocial care.

“We stand in solidarity with all affected women and survivors of gender-based violence. Survivors are encouraged to confidentially seek support through the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Toll-Free Helpline 1195,” Cheptumo said.

She further appealed to the public to refrain from sharing or circulating harmful content, cautioning that doing so could attract criminal liability.

“We further call upon members of the public to refrain from sharing or circulating harmful content, as doing so perpetuates abuse, undermines cultural values of respect, and may attract criminal liability,” she said.

Reaffirming the Government’s position, the CS concluded: “Kenya remains firm in defending the dignity of its men, women, boys and girls children offline and online.”