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KENYA: Police Make 2nd Arrest in Blackmail Ring That Targets Gays

Very good news to report from Kenya. Police in Nairobi have arrested a second man allegedly involved in a notorious scheme that targets gay men for extortion, blackmail, robbery and rape, reports Denis Nzioka at Identity Kenya.

Hillary Oleshawa was arrested by detectives on Monday night in a bar in down-town Nairobi after area police tracked him down for six hours following a tip off from the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. According to NGLHRC, Oleshawa has a history of luring unsuspecting gay men from online sites, abducting them and extorting money and property from their family and friends using threats and violence....

Oleshawa is reported to have been using Facebook and other gay dating sites such as Gay Romeo, Manjam, Gaydar and Gay Kenya to target his victims. His latest victim [alegedly] was a high school student aged 18 was lured into Oleshawa's house in last month, illegally detained , threatened with violence to give access codes to his mobile money account and later threatened to be exposed to his school.

Blackmail and extortion of gay men has become a "lucrative business" for criminals in Kenya, according to several reports. Many gay men are closeted—or married—and are afraid to come forward due to pervasive stigma and security concerns.

Previous reports indicated the extortion gang includes police officers. Nairobi police "have denied reports that one of the blackmailers is a fellow police officer."  But after the first arrest was made in February, that suspect reportedly "bribed [police] and was released in unclear circumstances," adds Identity Kenya.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare. Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  The recently-appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

See our report for EBONY:  "Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?"

Some Background ...
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
KENYA: Arrest in Blackmail Ring That Targets Gays
KENYA: Police Investigate Extortion of Gay Men
KENYA: Police Officers Target Gay Men in Extortion
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault

KENYA: Police Make Arrest in Blackmail Ring That Targets Gays

Excellent news to report from Kenya. The commander of a Nairobi police division promised in January to arrest the ringleaders behind a notorious scheme that targets gay men for extortion, blackmail and rape. Police have launched an undercover sting operation and made at least one arrest, reports Denis Nzioka at Identity Kenya.

The suspected blackmailer was arrested last weekend when he tried to get away with a laptop from a police officer who had laid a trap for him. He is alleged to have fallen in the police dragnet after several more victims came forward to record statements with the police.

According to activists following up on the cases, four more victims – all gay – have come forward to report that they fell victim to online dates and were forced to part with money lest they were ‘outed.’

The latest victim was a student from Mombasa who met a stranger after meeting them through Facebook. "They took my laptop, phones and school fees," he recounted. "They then took photos of me naked and threatened to send them to my family and school if I did not give them the money they wanted."

Detectives are reportedly using GPS and mobile records to make additional arrests.

Blackmail and extortion of gay men have become a "lucrative business" for criminals in Kenya, according to several reports. Many gay men are closeted—or married—and are afraid to come forward due to pervasive stigma and security concerns. Previous reports indicated the extortion gang includes police officers. Nairobi police "have denied reports that one of the blackmailers is a fellow police officer" and claim the suspect "is an imposter," reports Identity Kenya.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare. Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  The recently-appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

See our report for EBONY:  "Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?"

Some Background ...
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
KENYA: Police Investigate Extortion of Gay Men
KENYA: Police Officers Target Gay Men in Extortion
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault

KENYA: Nairobi Police Investigate Extortion/Blackmail of Gay Men

Good news to report from Kenya. The commander of a Nairobi police division has promised to arrest the ringleaders of a notorious scheme that targets gay men for extortion, blackmail and rape, reports Identity Kenya. The extortion gang includes police officers, according to previous reports.

Speaking to LGBTI activists, Mr Odhiambo urged victims to come forward with the names and locations of where they were targeted in order to arrest the culprits. According to information received so far, a gang of around 5 men and one police officer are luring unsuspecting gay men to houses in the estate where they rob and demand money from them.

Some victims have had naked photos taken of themselves in compromising positions. In addition, several victims have said that they were raped by the gang with many saying that they went to meet a potential date whom they had met online only to be pounced on during a tryst.

The latest victim said that the gang was demanding [$755] and were calling him threatening to expose the nude photos to his wife and work mates.

Blackmail and extortion of gay men have become a "lucrative business" for criminals and some law enforcement officers in Kenya, according to several reports. Many gay men are closeted are afraid to come forward due to pervasive stigma and security concerns.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  Two pro-LGBT justices were confirmed to the Supreme Court in June 2011. The recently-appointed Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations. See our report for EBONY, "Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?"

Some Background ...
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
KENYA: Police Officers Target Gay Men in Extortion
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault

KENYA: Pro-LGBT Deputy Chief Justice Resigns After Gun Threat

A disappointing end to a promising career. Kenya’s second most powerful judge and a prominent LGBT ally resigned nine months after she was accused of threatening a security guard with a gun. Baraza resigned from the court two weeks ago.

Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza was one of two pro-LGBT reformers confirmed to the Supreme Court in June 2011. The other one was Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga. Justice Baraza was accused of threatening the guard with the weapon less than six months later, reports the BBC.

According to the female guard, the judge had pinched her nose and pulled out a gun after refusing to be frisked at a shopping centre on New Year's Eve. In August a tribunal recommended that Ms Baraza be sacked. Ms Baraza, who was suspended from her post in January, has denied pointing a gun at the guard.

[Baraza] said she had dropped her appeal to the Supreme Court as she felt she would not get a fair hearing. She said the chief justice, who is also Supreme Court president, had endorsed the tribunal's recommendations in a television interview. "I do not see myself getting a fair and impartial hearing before the court as currently constituted," AFP quotes her as saying in a statement.

The seven-member panel, headed by Tanzania's former Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani, agreed with the guard's account of events at the Village Market shopping centre.

Security has been stepped up in public places across Kenya since it sent troops into neighbouring Somalia a year ago. The al-Qaeda aligned al-Shabab group threatened to take revenge and there have been numerous grenade attacks in Nairobi and elsewhere.

R20 reported in 2011 on the backlash surrounding the pro-LGBT views of the two leading reformers nominated to head to the Supreme Court. Baraza is completing a doctoral thesis on sexual minority rights. Former law professor Mutunga supported the creation of one of Kenya's first LGBT groups. Since his confirmation, Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  As a result of these and many other incremental advances, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

Some Background ...
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault

Groundbreaking Gay Kissing Scene in Kenyan Film "Nairobi Half Life"

The hottest new film in Kenya is the critically-acclaimed Nairobi Half Life. The plot follows an ambitious young man who moves to Nairobi to pursue his dream of becoming an actor ... but eventually becomes a criminal.

The film premiered two weeks ago in Nairobi and viewers were surprised by a kissing scene between two male characters. The Daily Nation—the country's largest newspaper which boasts a gay-friendly editorial policy—has described the scene as "ground breaking." Director/producer David "Tosh" Gitonga told the newspaper the scene was meant to be provocative. "It’s about time people addressed the issue of gays in our society," said Gitonga. "We did it, but not in the negative angle for once."

The same-sex scene in Nairobi Half Life is just the latest in a promising trend. Kenyan television and books are featuring more gay and lesbian characters, reports Denis Nzioka at Identity Kenya.

Shuga II, a show on HIV, love and youth, included a gay character – Rayban – in the show’s second season who was openly gay in the series. Though contentious, the actor who played Rayban, Edward Nyanaro said he was nervous when he took on the gay role, but it was a challenge and a responsibility he was willing to embrace.

Last month, Kenyan producer and film maker, Wanuri Kahuri was reported to be planning to produce a film, Jambula Tree, based on the acclaimed novel by Ugandan Monica Arac de Nyeko's short story by the same name that won her the Caine Prize in the edition of the competition.Jambula Tree is a coming of age story about two Kenyan girls, Anyango and Sanyu, who fall in love and whose desire for each other flies in the face of African conventions.

Kenyan lesbian author, Kerry Belchambers’s book, Cresswell Falls, featured the story of two women from different backgrounds who fall in love with one another after sharing their experiences. The book made it to the final list of the 2012 Golden Crown Literary Society Awards. It has been receiving positive reviews.

Watch the trailer of Nairobi Half Life AFTER THE JUMP ...

KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat in Court After Embassy Murder

A senior Venezuelan diplomat has been arraigned in court in Nairobi, Kenya in connection with the killing of the acting ambassador. Dwight Sagaray, First Secretary at the embassy, was arrested on Saturday and will be held without charges for six days.

Venezuelan charge d'affaires and acting ambassador Olga Fonseca was strangled on Friday after she fired at least five male Kenyan staff members ... who complained to police about sexual assault and harassment by the previous ambassador.

Police are looking for another suspect in the murder and believe this was a power struggle, reports Nairobi's Capital FM.

Police are now looking for a Kenyan doctor in connection with the murder. On Tuesday, the police released pictures of the doctor named Muhammed Ahmed Mohammed Hassan whom they say has been mentioned in the probe of the envoy’s death. Investigations have shown the suspect is a close friend of Sagaray.

Two Guards who manned the gate of the slain Venezuelan ambassador Olga Fonseca were also charged with committing a felony for falling to prevent the envoys death. The two ... denied the charge and were released on a cash bail.

The previous envoy was Gerardo Carillo Silva, who quickly left the country last month as the Nairobi police began an investigation. Silva is accused of sexually assaulting, fondling, exposing himself and sexual harassing at least six male employees. Silva has diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted under international law. The former staff members have said that Fonseca dismissed them after they refused to retract  the claims against Silva.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy. The recently-appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result of these and many other incremental advances, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

Some Background ...
KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault

KENYA: Venezuelan Diplomat Held in Embassy Murder, Police Probe Gay Sexual Assault Claims

There are new developments in Nairobi, Kenya after a murder, sex scandal and gay sexual assault claims in the Venezuelan embassy. Police have arrested a Venezuelan diplomat over the strangulation murder of the South American nation's charges d'affaires in her official residence, reports Reuters Africa.

Olga Fonseca was killed on Friday after she fired at least five male Kenyan staff members ... who complained to police about sexual assault and harassment by the previous ambassador.

Dwight Sagaray, First Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy, was arrested on Saturday and Kenyan police on Monday made a court application to hold him in custody for another 14 days. "The suspect was arrested by the police after his diplomatic immunity was waived," deputy prosecutor Tabitha Ouya told the courtroom.

"The investigation is incomplete and (we) require more time to secure crucial evidence and apprehend other suspects," Ouya said. Sagaray was arrested along with five Kenyans who worked at the embassy but it was unclear whether the local suspects have been charged or released.

The previous envoy was Gerardo Carillo Silva, who quickly left the country last month as the Nairobi police began an investigation. Silva has diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted under international law. The former staff members have said that Fonseca dismissed them after they refused to retract "sexual harassment claims" against Silva.

Reuters, The Independent and other western outlets do not expand upon the "sexual harassment" claims. More at China's Xinhua and Kenya's Daily Vation and the Kenyan-Post. Silva is accused of sexually assaulting, fondling, exposing himself and sexual harassing at least six male employees.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  Two pro-LGBT justices were confirmed to the Supreme Court in June 2011. The recently-appointed Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

Some Background ...
KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault
Kenya: "Things are Changing in Favor of Gays"

KENYA: Venezuela Envoy Slain After Gay Sexual Assault Claims

PHOTO: REUTERS

Thanks to Denis Nzioka for the heads-up. At least six people are in police custody after the strangulation murder of Venezuela's acting ambassador to Kenya, reports Reuters. Olga Fonseca was killed after she fired at least five male Kenyan staff members ... who complained to police about sexual assault and harassment by the previous ambassador.

The previous envoy was Gerardo Carillo Silva, who quickly left the country last month as the Nairobi police began an investigation. Silva has diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted under international law

Police said that Fonseca had been found dead on her bed. It was unclear why she had been killed, they said. "We are holding six," said Anthony Kibuchi, the police commander for the Nairobi area. "Please give us time. Let us investigate."

Officials at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said some Kenyan staff members at the Venezuelan Embassy’s residence had complained to the ministry’s Diplomatic Police Unit after Ms. Fonseca fired them. She started her job on July 15, replacing Ambassador Gerardo Carrillo-Silva. The employees said that Ms. Fonseca had dismissed them after they refused to retract sexual harassment claims against Mr. Carrillo-Silva. The ministry is investigating their claims, officials said Friday.

Reuters, The Independent and other western outlets do not expand upon the "sexual harassment" claims.

More at China's Xinhua and Kenya's Nation:

Two male employees had on April 23, through a complaint booked at Gigiri Diplomatic Police Unit and referenced as number 34, accused the former envoy of sexual impropriety. "She came and forced us to apologise and say the claims that the former consular of Venezuela embassy, who was accused of sexual harassment of the staff, were all lies, and that we write an apology that we fabricated the story," the staff say in the complaint seen by the Nation and dated July 20.

The [five] sexual harassment claims have attracted the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which after learning of the issue earlier this month, wrote to the employees’ lawyer, Ngure Mbugua, saying that they were launching "independent investigations."

The sexual assault and harassment claims are detailed at the Kenyan-Post. They are very alarming.

Kenya's government is considered progressive on gay rights. Same-sex relations are illegal—penalties are between five and 14 years’ imprisonment—but arrests and prosecutions are rare.

Kenya was the first African nation to include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategy.  Two pro-LGBT justices were confirmed to the Supreme Court in June 2011. The recently-appointed Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. As a result, Kenya has rapidly become a refuge for many LGBTs who have been persecuted in East African nations.

Some Background ...
Can Kenya Lead Africa on Gay Rights? [EBONY]
Kenya HRC Calls for Repealing Anti-Gay Laws
Kenyan Men Forced into Gulf Sex Trafficking?
UN Chief Urges African Leaders to Respect Gays
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault
Kenya: "Things are Changing in Favor of Gays"

LISTEN: Voice of Russia 410P/ET on Kenya, Africa and LGBT Rights

Taped an interview for the Voice of Russia, the Russian government's international radio broadcasting service. The segment is on LGBT rights in Africa and advances in Kenya. The interview dovetails on my latest article for EBONY, "Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?"

Listen at 410ish HERE.

EBONY: Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?

PHOTO: Vimeo

Our latest news analysis for EBONY: "Can Kenya Lead Africa Forward on Gay Rights?"

Recent years have seen an escalation in state-sponsored anti-LGBT terror across much of Africa. Uganda has gained international attention for a proposed draconian anti-gay bill that would mandate life imprisonment and/or death penalties. Extreme legislation has also been proposed in Nigeria, Burundi, Liberia, Cameroonand elsewhere.

Not the case in Kenya. The past several years have seen a quiet but steady increase in incremental advances. Two pro-LGBT justices were confirmed to the Supreme Court in June 2011. The recently-appointed Chief Justice Dr. Willy Munyoki Mutunga has said that "gay rights are human rights" and has expressed a desire to overturn anti-gay legislation. The national police are finally taking action against an extortion ring—which included some law enforcement officers—that has targeted gay, married and closeted men.

“With the exception of South Africa, Kenya is indeed the most advanced African nation when it comes to issues of men who have sex with men,”  Denis Nzioka told EBONY in a brief interview from Nairobi. Nzioka is the founder of Identity Kenya and the nation’s most visible gay activist.

Read the full article HERE.