Police have launched investigations into reports that a gang of five operating in Kilimani, Nairobi County, has been luring victims, particularly women, whom they sexually assault and secretly photograph for the purposes of body shaming and extortion.
One of the victims, a Norwegian national, has written a complaint letter to the Inspector General of Police, stating that the men attempted to gang rape and assault her.
She added that she reported the matter to Kilimani Police Station on July 26, but as of yesterday, no action had been taken.
Maria Abdisalam reported that she was assaulted by three women and two men in an apartment in the Kilimani area of Nairobi and was also robbed of cash and a mobile phone.
In her report, the victim stated that she knew some of the gang members, who have been threatening her to withdraw the complaint she recorded at the station. She added that the two men were armed with pistols.
Abdisalam further alleged that the gang members body-shamed her by taking videos and photos of her while she was naked and have been blackmailing and threatening her, demanding money from her with impunity.
In a letter also copied to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohammed Amin, the victim claimed that officers at Kilimani Police Station are reluctant to take action against the suspects, who are known to her.
Police inaction
Abdisalam told the police that she was on holiday in Kenya when she was invited to the house where the incident took place.
She immediately reported the case of robbery with violence, attempted gang rape, and assault causing grievous bodily harm at Kilimani Police Station, which was recorded under Occurrence Book (OB) number 02/26/07/2024.
However, since then, no further action has been taken, despite her obtaining a Police Medical Examination report, commonly referred to as a P3 form, as required.
Similarly, acording to the P3 form, Abdisalam was sexually assaulted, among other injuries.
The victim’s lawyer, Albert Kuloba, wrote to the police bosses accusing those at Kilimani of taking sides.
“Upon lodging her complaint, she was asked to obtain the P3 form, which she duly obtained on July 31, 2024. However, our client has further informed us that no further action has been taken by the police to progress the matter, which is causing her considerable distress,” reads the letter dated August 16.
The victim’s lawyer demanded an update on the current status of the investigation, including any steps that have been taken so far and any anticipated actions.
Kilimani Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) Ben Kobia confirmed that the matter had been reported and maintained that the investigation is ongoing. He stated that they intend to summon the mentioned suspects today, Monday.
“I understand the matter is under active investigation. We will take the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for recommendations,” he stated.
However, Abdisalam has called on the IG to expedite the investigation, saying that the officers from Kilimani Police Station have been unfair to her since the matter was reported.
Ongoing threats
“They have been taking me in circles without explaining the way forward. The suspects are now threatening and warning me against pursuing the matter, which I find strange,” she said.
Police have asked her to report any further threats from the suspects as the investigation continues.
The woman claims she has since learned that the suspects are part of a larger group operating in the Kilimani area, which typically targets people for trapping and blackmail.
In May of this year, another woman who was allegedly assaulted by the Personal Assistant to the East Africa Affairs Principal Secretary also accused Kilimani Police Station of failing to conduct speedy and impartial investigations into the attack.
Miriam Atieno Okello, a domestic worker, claimed to have been assaulted, under the guise of a family dispute, by Ibrahim Hussein Omar together with his brother, Ali Hussein Omar, an employee of Kenya Power.
She sought medical attention at Maria Immaculata Hospital and later reported the matter at Kilimani Police Station, where the report was booked under OB number 38/18/5/2024.
Following reports of interference in the case by some senior officials, the victim’s lawyer and a group of human rights defenders petitioned Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei to intervene and expedite the matter.
They maintained: “The claims of interference by senior government officials and reports that no action can be taken against the suspects are serious and should also be investigated.”
