Two Charged with Trafficking Women in Online Sex Syndicate

Two individuals have been charged with trafficking women for sexual exploitation in an online sex syndicate.

The suspects, Michael Ochieng Okwaro and Stella Syomiti Kingesi, are accused of luring women into prostitution in their home in Kasarani, Nairobi, by interacting with clients through a hook-up website. They face charges of contravening Section 17(b) of the Sexual Offences Act of 2006, as well as conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code.

The case involves two victims, one of whom met Kingesi in early January this year in Nairobi. The victim was seeking employment and asked Kingesi for assistance. A few days later, Kingesi informed the victim about a job at StripChat that only required a national identity card. Kingesi sent the woman bus fare to travel to her home and told her that all she needed was a laptop or smartphone and Wi-Fi to start the website. The victim was paid for her services on February 15 but was later locked in the house without permission to leave.

The victim discovered that other women were also being forced to perform sexual acts and that they were using the same gadgets. She contracted a sexually transmitted infection and subsequently sent a text to an activist who alerted the police. Police officers then rescued her and another woman who was also detained in the house performing similar acts of prostitution.

Okwaro and Kingesi were arraigned at the Makadara Law Courts, where they denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Lewis Gatheru. They were released on a bond of Sh100,000. The case is scheduled to be mentioned on March 16 before hearing starts on July 27 this year.

The case highlights the dangers of online sexual exploitation and the need for vigilance in combating this type of crime. It is important for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with online interactions and to take measures to protect themselves from becoming victims of sexual exploitation. Law enforcement agencies must also take a proactive approach to identifying and prosecuting those involved in online sex syndicates to ensure that justice is served and that victims are protected from further harm.

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