NAIROBI, Kenya—Feb 17, 2026—The government has ordered a coordinated cross-border operation to trace a Russian national accused of secretly recording Kenyan women and circulating the footage online.
The Gender, Culture and Children Services Ministry described the alleged conduct as a grave case of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and a violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement on Monday, Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo condemned the incident, saying the actions violated the dignity and privacy of Kenyan women and threatened national values and social cohesion.
“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,” Cheptumo said.
The ministry directed security, investigative and prosecutorial agencies to urgently pursue the matter, including collaboration with international authorities given the cross-border dimension of the case.
Officials said any individual found culpable would face prosecution under the Penal Code, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and other laws protecting women and children.
The suspect, identified in media reports as a self-styled “pick-up artist” and online blogger in his 30s, is also under scrutiny in Ghana. Ghana’s Technology Minister Sam George confirmed that Accra intends to seek Moscow’s cooperation through diplomatic channels and Interpol, although extradition of Russian nationals is considered legally complex.
In Kenya, videos allegedly showing the man filming women in Nairobi malls, streets and residential areas have sparked widespread public outrage and renewed debate on consent, digital ethics and online exploitation. Some clips appear to show women unaware they were being recorded for online publication.
The Gender Ministry announced plans to strengthen policy measures on online safety, digital exploitation and the protection of women and children. It also pledged engagement with stakeholders in the culture, tourism, hospitality and digital sectors to enhance prevention, awareness and accountability.
“As a Government, we view such violations not merely as criminal acts but as threats to the social fabric of our society,” Cheptumo said, urging the public not to share or circulate harmful content, warning that doing so could perpetuate abuse and attract criminal liability.
Survivors of gender-based violence and digital exploitation were encouraged to seek confidential support through the National Gender-Based Violence toll-free helpline 1195, which offers counselling, legal referrals and psychosocial care.
The case has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of data protection and cybercrime laws, as well as greater oversight of foreign nationals operating on social media platforms within Kenya.
