NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched investigations into a viral online scandal involving a Russian national accused of recording and sharing videos featuring Kenyan women without consent.
The man, identified as Yaytseslav Trahov, triggered widespread outrage after low-quality clips circulated on social media platforms showing Kenyan women in private encounters.
Although the footage did not contain explicit scenes, online speculation about the nature of the interactions intensified public debate over privacy, consent and digital exploitation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, February 17, the DCI called on affected individuals and witnesses to assist investigators as it examines potential criminal offences arising from the case.
The agency described the alleged conduct as a serious breach of privacy and constitutional rights.
“The DCI strongly condemns these reported acts, which constitute serious violations of privacy, personal dignity, and the rights of victims as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya. Such conduct also amounts to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, exploitation, and potential offences under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Penal Code, and other relevant statutes protecting women and children,” it said.
Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act criminalises the non-consensual publication of intimate images and unlawful access or distribution of private digital content, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
International cooperation underway
The DCI said its specialised cybercrime and gender-based violence units are seeking digital evidence, online footprints and confirmation of the suspect’s identity.
Given the cross-border dimension of the case, authorities confirmed they are coordinating with international law enforcement agencies.
“The DCI urges the affected individuals, victims or witnesses to come forward and record statements at the DCI headquarters. All statements will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, dignity, sensitivity, and respect for the privacy and well-being of the complainants,” the DCI said.
The agency also cautioned members of the public against resharing the footage, warning that doing so could amount to secondary victimisation and potentially attract criminal liability.
“Members of the public are reminded that sharing, reposting, or further circulating such non-consensual intimate content perpetuates secondary victimization and may attract criminal liability under Kenyan law.
The DCI remains committed to upholding justice, protecting vulnerable persons, and ensuring accountability in both physical and digital spaces. We will work tirelessly with all relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and international counterparts to bring those responsible to justice and prevent future occurrences,” the DCI said.
Gender Ministry response
Kenya’s Gender Cabinet Secretary, Hanna Wendot, described the alleged acts as a serious form of technology-facilitated sexual violence.
She urged victims to seek counselling and legal assistance through the government’s 1195 hotline, which supports survivors of gender-based violence.
Wendot emphasised that authorities are committed to pursuing justice through international cooperation mechanisms and reinforced the ministry’s focus on strengthening cybersecurity and digital abuse policy frameworks to protect women and children from online and offline harm.
She also warned that circulating the videos could compound psychological trauma for victims and expose those redistributing the content to legal consequences.
Reports circulating online suggest that similar conduct may have occurred in Ghana and Nigeria, raising the possibility of a broader pattern of cross-border digital exploitation. Authorities have not publicly confirmed investigations in those jurisdictions.
Also Read: Mwaura condemns exploitation of Kenyan women by Russian national
The case highlights growing concerns in Kenya over online exploitation, privacy breaches and gender-based cyber violence.
As internet penetration and social media usage expand, law enforcement agencies have increasingly confronted crimes involving digital recording, image-based abuse and cross-border dissemination of intimate content.
Legal experts note that prosecutions in such cases often depend on international mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs), digital forensics capacity and cooperation from online platforms hosting the material.
The DCI says it will exhaust all available legal channels to secure accountability.
