State launches manhunt for man who secret recorded women

Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo/FILE

The government has launched an aggressive manhunt for a foreign national accused of secretly recording and circulating intimate images of Kenyan women without their consent.

Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo said the State had activated a coordinated response involving multiple agencies to ensure the suspect is brought to justice.

“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,” she said.

In a statement, Cheptumo condemned the alleged actions, terming them not only criminal but also a direct attack on constitutional protections and national values.

The CS said the disturbing incident, in which the foreign national is alleged to have secretly recorded and circulated intimate images of Kenyan women without their consent, amounts to a serious breach of Articles 28 and 31 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantee the right to human dignity and privacy.

“The 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.

She described the case as a form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and exploitation, warning that such conduct threatens 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,” Cheptumo said.

The CS emphasised that the government would not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against anyone found culpable.

“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,” Cheptumo added.

Beyond enforcement measures, the ministry signalled plans to tighten policy frameworks around online safety and digital accountability.

“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. We will also engage stakeholders in culture, tourism, hospitality, and digital platforms to enhance prevention, awareness, and accountability mechanisms,” she said.

Cheptumo affirmed that the government stands in solidarity with affected women and survivors of gender-based violence, urging those impacted to seek assistance through official support channels.

“Survivors are encouraged to confidentially seek support through the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Toll-Free Helpline 1195 for counselling, legal referral, psychosocial care, and protection services,” she said.

She also cautioned members of the public against sharing or forwarding the alleged material, noting that doing so compounds the harm and may attract legal consequences.

“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,” Cheptumo warned.