Kenya Investigates Alleged Secret Recording and Sharing of Intimate Videos of Women
By Kelvin Kibet | Updated October 1, 2026
Kenyan authorities announced a cross-border investigation in February 2026 after allegations that a foreign national secretly recorded intimate encounters with women and distributed the footage online without their consent.
What the Gender Ministry said
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo condemned the alleged conduct as a violation of dignity and privacy and described it as technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The government said investigative, security and prosecutorial agencies would work with international counterparts because the case involved activity across national borders.
The allegations also involved Ghana
Associated Press reported that authorities in Ghana were also investigating a man believed to be Russian over similar allegations involving women there. Officials were attempting to secure digital and financial evidence linked to the online publication of the material.
Why sharing the material can cause further harm
Reposting intimate material can compound the harm to people shown in it and make removal more difficult. Readers should avoid redistributing such content, even when discussing the case or attempting to identify victims.
What remains unproven
The suspect’s nationality, criminal responsibility and the full circumstances of individual recordings are matters for investigation and, where charges are filed, the courts. This article therefore describes the accusations as allegations rather than established facts.
Support and reporting
People affected by image-based abuse should use official police, gender-violence and platform-reporting channels and preserve relevant evidence without circulating the material further.
Why victims should not be re-exposed
When intimate material is shared without consent, repeatedly reposting screenshots, names or identifying details can deepen the harm. Responsible reporting should focus on the investigation, legal issues and support available to victims rather than circulating the material itself.
What the law can cover
Depending on the evidence, investigators may consider offences involving privacy, unauthorised access, publication of intimate material and other conduct under Kenyan criminal and cybercrime laws. The precise charges, if any, are for investigators and prosecutors to determine.
