The recent case of stalking involving an employee of a Telkom Kenya linked partner company had brought out important questions about the safety of women in Kenya. One thing that is causing women to feel unsafe are cases of stalking.
A Kenyan lady shared her experience recently and the whole story just had me on edge because of how serious and scary it is. An acquaintance that the lady has known for a while decided about 3 years ago that he wants to be together with her and has since then been sending unsolicited messages. Her case is one of many but this one is too scary. See her story below.
While we’re on this madness,one day I’ll tell the story of the mad man that has been stalking & harassing me for 3 years +
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
So I was in class 8,dad brings guests home. His former college mate and his son.
The son is maybe 5,6 yrs older than me
Quiet,seems harmless— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
The son comes around a few more times over the years,so whatever,we’re used to him
Doesnt do anything out of the ordinary— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Fast forward 5 years later.
I’m just done w form 4
I bump into him in town,asks for my no.
No harm in that,I know him right? Ok I give my no— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I start 1st year. This guy is CONSTANTLY texting me.
Says he has a gift for me,comes to school
We take a walk,I don’t leave the school gate— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I consistently tell him to leave me alone.
He consistently texts
Haven’t told any family about this yet
He comes to school again— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I go w my friends this time & make a scene at the gate.
I stop replying to his texts/calls all together
He gets another number. Several.— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I’m was on attachment at Milimani Law courts,I leave court I find him outside waiting for me.
I have no idea how he always knows where I am— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I blacklisted him.
He’s already downloaded photos of me though & puts them as his ppic
He’s now inboxing my sisters on Facebook— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
He’s texting my PARENTS.
He wants to marry me & they are standing in his way
Excerpt 1: pic.twitter.com/zdSfxnAN5P— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Masudi is apparently the guy of the rival family who have also organized for another man to marry me.
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Fam,he’s even texting my grandfather saying he wants to marry me
In his warped mind,we love each other everyone else is standing in the way— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
He’s giving my dad serious HBP
My dad calls the father,tells him to talk to his son
Doesnt help much obviously
This man is not okay.— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Stopped replying to his texts 2 years ago.
He however will not relent.
He also keeps texting me silly lies
Eg: pic.twitter.com/sYo1noN1fY— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
He also has “our future” all planned out
1: pic.twitter.com/PO8tsthc6m— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
A WHOLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE WAS SENT TO WARN HIM BY MY DAD,BUT HE DID. NOT. STOP.
This guy is not afraid of anything— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
He’s following me on twitter anonymously.
I don’t know his handle. I keep checking people I follow but I’m unable to fish him out.— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Notice,he texts as though he’s actually receiving replies.
Incessantly. pic.twitter.com/hferCpF2bS— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Although he hasn’t made any violent threats,he is a potentially very dangerous man and this is a problem I evidently have to deal with soon
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
It’s possible for me to forget that I am not safe bc his appearances are infrequent.
But what about when I start living alone,& I will soon— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I’m not sure filing a formal complaint w the police will help much. It’ll prob be ridiculed,cause you know Kenyan police..
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
The other option is to get a lawyer and have proper court proceedings on invasion of privacy/ harassment,what not
— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
I generally don’t feel like I have a very strong case,
But it has become a family crisis and we shall have to go through w the 2nd option— Subtle Sali’nity (@_taiwa_) October 2, 2016
Twitter user @Buggz79 shared some fantastic advice on how to deal with the situation.
@_taiwa_ Sounds like the gentleman is experiencing psychosis. He’s in a long distance relationship with reality. File a report with police
— Deluxe Nyeuthi (@Buggz79) October 2, 2016
@_taiwa_ Once filed. Try and get him arrested. He can be held at Mathare for evaluation and possible treatment.
— Deluxe Nyeuthi (@Buggz79) October 2, 2016
@_taiwa_ Really sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m handling a similar situation and it’s been nerve wracking
— Deluxe Nyeuthi (@Buggz79) October 2, 2016
@_taiwa_ Update: The chap can be arrested under cap 248 – https://t.co/M0bba2cvZ5. I’m advised by Mathare folk that Muthaiga cops are best
— Deluxe Nyeuthi (@Buggz79) October 2, 2016
Image by Patrik Nygren via