Coast Regional Criminal Investigations Officer Benson Kasyoki has dismissed as false and baseless the rumors circulating on social media about reported cases of disappearing body parts, especially the male private parts, in Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Criminal Investigations Office, Kasyoki said the stories making rounds that there are people making body parts disappear after one greets them is a hoax.
“This is completely false information. It’s baseless and there’s no proof of that. Medical experts confirmed there was no loss of organs, physical harm or disappearance in any of the reported cases,” he said.
He observed the rumors were a tactic used by criminals to distract members of the public before robbing or mugging them.
“What we are witnessing is just a tactic by criminals calculated to distract members of the public so that they can rob them,” said Kasyoki.
He asked the public to stop circulating the unverified claims on TikTok and WhatsApp, saying, “It has not been verified,” and urged residents of Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi counties to remain calm and report any related information to police.
“So far, we have received 19 incidents. 17 of those incidents are pending before court while the others are being investigated,” said Kasyoki, adding that they are pending being taken to court once investigations are concluded.
He disclosed that there have been two deaths, one in Mombasa and another in Kilifi, which are among the cases under investigation.
He pointed out that people who claimed to have lost their private parts after shaking hands with strangers were taken for medical examination and were subsequently arrested after the claims were found to be false.
He warned that police would not tolerate the spread of the claims and that anyone found perpetuating them would be arrested and taken to court.
He asked members of the public to report any related cases to the nearest police station or DCI office.
By Joan Kinuthia
