A growing controversy has gripped Kenyan social media this week after videos depicting a Russian national, identified online as Yaytseslav, went viral.
The clips show the man approaching women in public spaces, allegedly recording interactions with them — sometimes leading to private encounters — and posting the footage on platforms such as TikTok and X.
The situation has ignited fierce debate across Kenyan society on privacy, consent, gender norms and public safety.
The videos first gained traction early this week, circulating rapidly after users shared clips allegedly showing the man wearing smart sunglasses believed to house cameras, approaching women near Thika Road Mall (TRM) and other busy Nairobi locations.
The footage prompted immediate reactions from Kenyans across professions — from comedians and influencers to journalists and legal experts — each weighing in on the implications of the trend.
Comedian Terence: “This man must respect Kenyan women and their privacy. Online DCI tuingie kazi huyu apatikane. We won’t keep quiet as our ladies get disrespected. Privacy is key and must be respected.”
Terence’s remarks reflect a broader concern shared by many on social platforms: that the alleged recordings amount to a violation of basic personal dignity and privacy rights. Calls for swift action by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) mirror public sentiment demanding accountability.
Content Creator Baba Talisha: “Can the guy be arrested kweli??? Juu weuh… watching those videos is embarrassing. None of them knew he had the Meta glasses that were recording. Mwingine adi alikuwa na mtoto jamani. Wamama pia."
Baba Talisha’s reaction highlights another dimension of the debate — the embarrassment and shock felt by many viewers, especially considering that some of the women featured appear unaware they were being recorded.
The mention of one woman reportedly having a child has added a layer of moral outrage to the discourse, with critics arguing that the encounters were exploitative.
Simon Cool: “These videos currently circulating online have raised concern about a Russian man in Kenya who is allegedly filming encounters with Kenyan women he approaches on the streets. According to reports, he records these interactions — including private moments after spending time with them — and the clips are now making rounds on social media. The situation has sparked serious debate about privacy, consent, and the respectful treatment of individuals in public and private spaces… but ladies 🤔🤔🤔🤔.”
Simon Cool’s commentary shows the central issues driving the online debate: consent and respectful engagement. Observers note that the situation has forced Kenyans to confront gaps in understanding of digital privacy and the need for stronger public awareness around consent when it comes to recording or sharing intimate content.
Journalist Levin Odhiambo Opiyo: “I have seen the escapades of that Russian man and realised kumbe sisi ngozi nyeusi ndio tunawekewa standards hapa Kenya. Wazungu hata wale wanataabika wanapata vitu almost for free. But what he is doing in Africa recording people yet Russia is looking for able-bodied men to fight in Ukraine. I was recently reading an article how around 400,000 young, educated Russian men have fled the country since 2022 to avoid military conscription. Maybe he is one of them.”
Odhiambo’s analysis brings in a broader geopolitical and socio-cultural perspective, contrasting attitudes toward relationships and individual conduct across different cultural contexts.
He juxtaposes the controversy with reports about Russia’s military recruitment challenges, suggesting that the trending individual’s motives — and presence in Kenya — may be influenced by wider global dynamics.
His remarks also reflect ongoing conversations in Kenya about social norms and foreign influence.
Lawyer Wa Muthoni: “There is a Russian guy called Yayteslav trending online after sleeping with hundreds of women (aged between 18 and 80) in multiple countries across the world, including Ghana, South Africa and Roysambu. He walks up to these women on the streets and apparently says something to them that makes them immediately get in an Uber, go to some Airbnb and have sex with him. He records all of these encounters on his Ray-Ban sunglasses and posts them on TikTok. Of course when he landed in Kenya, his research told him to focus on Thika Road, specifically around TRM. Huko amewafyeka indiscriminately.”
Legal expert Wa Muthoni frames the issue through a criminal law lens, suggesting that if the allegations are true, the man’s behaviour may cross the line into non-consensual recording and potentially other offences.
His remarks also hint at a pattern spanning multiple countries, raising questions about international conduct and legal jurisdiction.
Mishy Mirry: “I just hope our Kenyan ladies have learned something from that Russian philanderer and libertine. Even your own brothers have disowned you. They’re mocking you. You’re not safe even in your own country.”
Mishy Mirry’s comment reflects a segment of online users viewing the situation as a lesson in caution for women, emphasizing the risks of engaging with strangers and highlighting how quickly personal moments can be exposed publicly. Her sentiment echoes broader concerns about personal safety, especially for women in urban spaces.