Gov't Warns Women Against Assuming Wealth in Foreigners After Viral Scandal

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura

The Kenyan government has cautioned women following a viral scandal involving a foreign national accused of secretly filming Kenyan women and sharing the footage online.

In a statement on Monday, February 16, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura broke his silence, strongly condemning the alleged actions of a Russian man accused of exploiting women, violating their privacy and circulating intimate videos without consent.

“I condemn the Russian man for taking advantage of our ladies,” Mwaura said, as public anger continued to grow over what many described as a disturbing case of manipulation, exploitation and abuse of trust.

But Mwaura’s message did not stop with condemning the suspect. In unusually candid remarks, he turned his attention to Kenyan women, warning against relationships driven by assumptions about race and money.

Isaac Mwaura

He cautioned that equating white skin with wealth exposes women to deception, embarrassment and harm.

“Our women should not perceive that everyone who is white is automatically wealthy and view them as an avenue to get rich. It is a great shame — ni aibu kubwa,” Mwaura stated.

“We must learn to love ourselves and respect who we are,” he added.

The spokesperson linked the incident to what he described as a broader erosion of moral and social values in Kenya, particularly in the age of social media.

“From what we see shared online, it is clear that our morals are eroding. We are behaving as though we no longer respect ourselves,” he warned.

File image of a person scrolling through social media

According to Mwaura, such behavior goes beyond isolated scandals and threatens Kenya’s national dignity, cultural identity and the values being passed on to young people who consume online content daily.

Mwaura stressed that economic ambition should never come at the expense of personal safety, dignity, or long-held cultural principles. 

He urged Kenyans to reflect deeply on their choices, warning that unchecked moral decline could normalize harmful behavior and damage future generations.

“The future of our country depends on safeguarding our values and promoting self-respect,” he said.