Mombasa genital theft: 5 things we know so far
By Dan Kauna, July 13, 2026A wave of panic has swept through Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties over claims that criminals can make a person’s genitals disappear with a mere touch. The rumours have triggered mob attacks, market chaos and, so far, two deaths.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has now stepped in, dismissing the claims as false and warning that criminal gangs are exploiting the panic to rob unsuspecting Kenyans.
Here is what we know so far.
1. 19 incidents recorded across three counties
The DCI says it has logged 19 cases linked to the genital theft claims since they began circulating. Kilifi has recorded the highest number at nine, followed by Kwale with seven and Mombasa with three.
Coast Regional DCI boss Benson Kasyoki said 17 of the cases are already before the courts, with the rest still under investigation.
2. Two people have died in mob attacks
The false claims have already cost lives.
Two innocent people, one in Kwale and another in Mombasa, were beaten to death by mobs after being wrongly accused of making a stranger’s genitals disappear.
Detectives are now reviewing CCTV footage and phone recordings from the scenes to identify those behind the killings.
“Anyone identified as participating in, inciting or cheering the mob attacks will be arrested and charged with murder,” Kasyoki said.
3. Doctors confirm the claims are a hoax
Medical teams working with the Ministry of Health and county medical officers examined every alleged victim and found nothing wrong with them.
“Medical experts have confirmed that there is no loss of organs, there is no physical harm or disappearance,” Kasyoki said.
4. Criminal gangs are using the panic to rob people
Detectives believe the scare is a deliberate tactic.
A suspect falsely claims their private parts have disappeared after contact with another person, a crowd gathers around the accused, and accomplices then pickpocket and rob bystanders in the confusion.
“What we are witnessing is just a tactic by criminals to disrupt members of the public so that they can rob them,” Kasyoki said.
5. Police have launched a crackdown, including on TikTok
Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor says at least 16 people have been arrested after mob attacks at Kongowea and Marikiti markets. He has also warned content creators against using the hoax for online attention.
“Anyone who uses that for content, we will arrest. We don’t want those stories,” Noor said on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Cybercrime detectives have been deployed to trace individuals spreading the claims on TikTok and WhatsApp, and Kasyoki has urged residents to report any information to the nearest police station instead of sharing it online.
Police have asked residents of Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi to remain calm and let investigators do their work as the hunt for the gangs behind the scheme continues.