NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Gender and Affirmative Action Cabinet Secretary, Hanna Cheptumo, has condemned a viral video showing a woman, identified as Marion Naipei, 23, in a vulnerable and intoxicated state inside a Nairobi entertainment venue.
In a statement released on Sunday, CS Cheptumo described the incident as a serious violation of the individual’s dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy, which are enshrined in the Constitution.
The video, which has sparked outrage and concern online, shows Naipei stumbling in the company of men, with one reportedly lifting her dress and exposing her nudity.
“The Ministry reaffirms that the dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy of every person are inviolable and are guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya. Any conduct that undermines these rights, whether through action, omission, or digital transmission, is unacceptable,” CS Cheptumo said.
She highlighted that the circumstances surrounding the recording and dissemination of the material raise serious concerns about consent, ethical conduct, and adherence to the law, particularly in environments where individuals may be vulnerable.
“The Ministry is engaging relevant agencies to review this matter within their mandates, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law,” she added.
CS Cheptumo urged the public to exercise restraint by refraining from sharing the video further or posting comments that could inflict additional harm.
“The Government remains fully committed to protecting human dignity and advancing a society founded on respect, accountability, and the rule of law, both offline and online,” she assured.
The woman at the centre of the incident claims she was drugged and unaware that she was being filmed. She has identified a man, reportedly visiting from the United States, as responsible. Marion Naipei, a mother, described the experience as life-altering.
Marion Naipei speaks
“I feel like my life is falling apart, and I’m not sure how to pick up the pieces. I’m hurting. You exposed me, and now my life will never be the same,” she said.
In a statement filed at Buruburu Police Station, 23-year-old Marion Naipei recounted that she had gone out for leisure at a Nairobi entertainment venue, only to later discover that clips of herself were circulating widely on social media.
Naipei said she had been intoxicated at the time the footage was recorded and was therefore unable to provide consent for any filming or distribution of the material.
She told police that the individual who recorded the videos, a US-based caregiver visiting Kenya, was someone she knew and trusted, and that the clips were subsequently uploaded online without her permission.
“I only became aware of the videos after they had already spread across multiple social media platforms, making it difficult to control their circulation,” Naipei said.
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She rejected claims that the footage was intended for public viewing or entertainment, stressing that she had never authorised anyone to share it in any form.
Naipei added that her decision to report the incident, with the support of Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Chief Civil Servant Geoffrey Mosiria, was aimed at safeguarding her dignity and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
Broader gender-based violence concerns
CS Cheptumo also addressed a separate incident in which a driver along the Kisumu–Busia Highway was allegedly scalded with hot water by his spouse.
She confirmed that the ministry is coordinating closely with law enforcement, health services, and other relevant agencies to ensure a thorough investigation.
“Gender-based violence, whether against men or women, boys or girls, is a serious violation of human rights and a grave assault on human dignity. The Ministry condemns such acts in the strongest terms and reiterates that no one is exempt from protection, justice, and support,” she said.
