women murdered in Airbnbs in Nairobi

There have been increased concerns over the government’s regulations in short-stay accommodation in the wake of two murders that have occurred in Airbnbs in separate incidents in the country.

Even though the global platform that runs Airbnb has dismissed any connection to the incidents saying the two houses where the murders occurred were not booked via their platforms; the government has moved to tighten the noose on how these properties should be operated.

Airbnb murders prompts concerns about regulation in Kenya

The Ministry, acting as the key regulator of Kenya’s tourism sector through the Tourism Regulatory Authority, reaffirmed its responsibilities in registering, licensing, and grading sustainable tourism activities, including services provided by cottages and private residences engaged in guest house services.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) also directed private security officers have also been instructed to record and temporarily withhold identification documents in accommodations, lodging, and hospitality establishments where they work.

In a statement, the PSRA’s Director General, Fazul Mahamed, said that the directive aims to reduce the number of criminal activities taking place within such premises.

20-year-old Rita Mueni was on Saturday murdered in and Airbnb in Roysambu. The gruesome murder that left her body dismembered and cut into pieces left the country in shock as to the motive of these murders; considering that the assailant left with her head.

Rita’s gruesome murder comes just barely two weeks after another lady, Wahu was also murdered in another Airbnb in Nairobi’s South B estate.

Kenyans have called on the government to scale up security and tighten regulations on Airbnb properties while human rights activists are calling for investigations into the increased rates of femicide in the country.