The Kenyan government is grappling with a complex diplomatic case involving a Russiannational,Yayteslav Trahov, accused of sexually exploiting multiple women during his visit to Kenya and secretly sharing videos of them.

Released on the eve of Valentine’s Day, the videos went viral, sparking public outrage over moral decay and the exploitation of Kenyans by foreign visitors.

Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo confirmed on Monday that the matter is under urgent investigation, with security, investigative, and prosecutorial agencies coordinating a “whole-of-government response,” including collaboration with international authorities due to the case’s cross-border nature.

One of the women featured, a content creator known as Choice, came forward in an interview to clarify her side.

She said that while she initially consented to being on camera for content, that consent was severely breached.

She understood the filming as professional and was not concerned by cameras during daily activities, such as cooking or eating.

However, she firmly denied engaging in any unprotected intimacy, stating she would not take such risks with a stranger.

Choice recounted that their relationship lasted about 60 days from August 2023.

They met at Nairobi Airport, and Trahov convinced her to travel to Mombasa to join him and his team.

Over two months, they moved between apartments in Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani, and Nyali.

She became increasingly uncomfortable with his obsession with recording every interaction, particularly his constant use of Ray-Ban Meta glasses and his phone, which ultimately led to the relationship’s end.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura condemned Trahov’s actions and warned Kenyan women and girls against transactional relationships with tourists.

He highlighted the risks of human trafficking and urged Africans to exercise self-respect, cautioning against associating white skin with wealth.

Mwaura also criticized what he sees as a broader moral decline, stating that the incident “embarrassed the African people.”

Trahov reportedly lured women from public places such as malls, churches, or roadsides, communicating in basic English or through translation apps, then arranged meet-ups at his residence while secretly recording them using smart glasses with cameras and microphones.

There are concerns that Trahov may evade justice due to protections under the Russian constitution, which forbids the extradition of its citizens.

Kenya and Ghana, where other victims are reported, may have to submit evidence to Russian authorities to pursue legal action.

Ghana has reportedly considered charging him in absentia if extradition proves impossible.

His current whereabouts remain unknown.

This scandal highlights a broader pattern of exploitation faced by vulnerable Kenyans both at home and abroad, often by wealthier foreigners promising better lives.

Another pressing concern is the recruitment of young African men, including Kenyans, as mercenaries for the Russian army in Ukraine.

Agencies promise signing bonuses, high salaries, and Russian citizenship, though former fighters say these claims are often exaggerated or false.

Many desperate recruits have left families for supposed expat jobs, only to be deployed without training, as seen in the deaths of Denis Bagaka, Simon Gititu, and Clinton Nyapara in Donetsk.

Kenya’s embassy in Moscow issued a February warning against taking jobs in Russia via unverified agents, citing consular challenges in disputes.

Other forms of exploitation include pay disparities for Kenyans in contractual roles with big tech companies and the grooming of children, called “beach boys,” by older foreigners along the Kenyan coast.

Additionally, Kenyans have been targeted for staffing Chinese-run scam centers in Myanmar, where many faced torture and human rights abuses, with the government facilitating the return of 178 victims last year.

These incidents underscore the urgent need for vigilance and protective measures against various forms of exploitation.