Millie: ‘Russian man’ exploited vulnerable women

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has described the “Russian man” scandal as an unfortunate case that occurred as a result of exploitation of vulnerable women.

The scandal involves a foreign national recording intimate encounters with Kenyan women without their consent and sharing them online.

She warned that the way the narrative is being framed risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes about African women and fueling racial undertones.



“It is how this narrative of the Russian man is being brought out that also brings issues of racism and portrays African women as vulnerable people that others want to exploit because they think we are beautiful and not well nurtured,” the MP said.

Millie urged Kenyan women to value and appreciate African men adding that she has nothing against white people.

“I am not saying there is anything wrong with white people, but I want to challenge our African women to like our black men as they are also good,” she said.

Odhiambo also criticised the public circulation of intimate matters, arguing that private relationships should not be turned into online spectacle.

“Something that happens between two people in private should not be brought to the public,” she said.

The scandal has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter social media regulation.



The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched investigations, terming the alleged acts serious violations of privacy, personal dignity and constitutional rights.

“DCI has noted with grave concern the alleged non-consensual recording and subsequent circulation of intimate videos involving Kenyan women by a suspected Russian national,” the DCI said.

It said such conduct amounts to technology-facilitated gender-based violence and could constitute offences under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Penal Code and other statutes protecting women and children.

The DCI said specialised cybercrime and gender-based violence units had been activated and that it is working with international law enforcement agencies due to the cross-border nature of the case.

Gender CS Hanna Cheptumo said the state had activated an aggressive manhunt and directed security and investigative agencies to pursue the matter urgently.

Police have urged the public not to share or repost the content and encouraged victims to report incidents through the #FichuaKwaDCI toll-free line.