On May 18, Kenyan authorities received a disturbing intelligence in the form of a cyber-tip from Cupid Media, an Australian company that runs more than 30 online dating sites globally.
The alert pointed to a user identified as "Regina," linked to a verified Kenyan email, phone number and Telegram handle.
Investigators found pornographic videos of minors aged four, eight and 14, among them a boy, pointing to a broader criminal syndicate engaged in child sexual exploitation.
The intelligence further linked a Kenyan woman to these videos, alleging that she was producing and selling images and videos of children, including her own. The disturbing child pornography racket has exposed a growing online black market exploiting minors for profit.
Investigators found pornographic videos of minors aged four, eight and 14, among them a boy, pointing to a broader criminal syndicate engaged in child sexual exploitation.
Photo credit: File
Digital footprints provided to Kenyan authorities led to the arrest of a woman who goes by various aliases such as Regina, Regina Re, Mama Gloria and Big Mama as the suspect behind this racket. She was arrested on June 11, at Kimbilio area, Changamwe in Mombasa County.
Earlier on March 12, the Kenyan authorities had also received intelligence from the National Crime Agency (NCA) based on information from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The intelligence implicated her in the crime. She allegedly did this via ‘Afrointroductions’ dating site, an online platform operated by Cupid Media Company.
Regina has been charged with 13 various criminal offences including child pornography, failing to protect a child from neglect, promotion of sexual offences with a child, acquiring proceeds of and subjecting a child to online abuse and exploitation.
The charge sheet indicates that the accused, knowingly and intentionally produced, transmitted and published obscene images of minors on various digital platforms including WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, and the “AfroIntroductions” website using her phone.
She is also accused of engaging in communication via these platforms, thereby distributing and disseminating obscene images depicting the images of minors through electronic systems, exposing the minors to harmful content and violating their rights.
Reports indicate that the suspect was not only distributing, but also receiving, downloading, and sharing materials related to child exploitation, and was receiving payments for distributing these materials.
Photo credit: Photo I Pool
The court was also told that the accused intentionally solicited the children for sexual contact and other inappropriate behaviour for money, including statements describing sexual acts with the child, thereby subjecting them to online abuse and exploitation through electronic systems and communication technologies on online platforms.
She is further accused of failing to protect the children by exposing them to sexual abuse and exploitation through producing, processing and distributing sexually explicit materials involving the children and attempting to solicit them for sexual purposes on online platforms.
The court heard that the suspect supplied and displayed to the children sex toys, pornographic films and other materials intended to be used in the performance of sexual acts, with the intention of encouraging and enabling the children to perform such acts.
She is also accused of soliciting and receiving money in return for sexually explicit content and offering sex acts involving children, knowing or having reasons to believe that such payments were proceeds of criminal conduct.
However, Regina denied the charges when she appeared before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo.
In an affidavit seeking to have her detained until the children are secured and testify, the prosecution described Regina as a flight risk who could escape if granted bond, owing to the seriousness of the charges she faces, particularly since the minors involved, aged four and eight, are her own children.
Sergeant Wycliffe Jefwa told the court that Regina’s online activities were traced through IP addresses originating from multiple and varying locations, both within Kenya and potentially abroad, indicating that she does not maintain a fixed or permanent residence or employment.
“This pattern of shifting locations demonstrates a high risk of absconding if bail is granted. Her mobility severely hampers the ability of investigating officers to monitor her movements or ensure her attendance at court proceedings, thereby increasing the likelihood that she may evade justice,” said Mr Jefwa, while being guided by State Counsel Breda Ogada.
According to the prosecution, the intelligence indicated that the suspect was not only distributing, but also receiving, downloading, and sharing materials related to child exploitation, and was receiving payments for distributing these materials.
The account log-in history associated with Regina, under the username "Regina", showed repeated access from various IP addresses registered to mobile service providers in the country, with locations spanning the Coast, Nairobi, and Eastern regions of Kenya.
Mr Jefwa further told the court that the police, with the assistance of Interpol, are pursuing other suspects implicated in this criminal syndicate, some of whom are foreign nationals residing in various countries.
“Investigations are ongoing in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies, internet service providers, and relevant authorities across jurisdictions to identify, trace, and apprehend these suspects,” he said.
According to the prosecution, the international and cross-border nature of this criminal enterprise, coupled with Regina’s demonstrated pattern of evading a fixed residence, significantly increases the risk that she may abscond or interfere with the investigation if released on bail.
He also told the court that medical reports confirm that the victims suffered anal and vaginal abuse, corroborating allegations of sexual assault and exploitation.
“The ongoing investigation is critical to dismantling a broader criminal syndicate engaged in child sexual exploitation. Regina’s continued detention is necessary to safeguard the interests of justice, protect vulnerable witnesses, and preserve the integrity of the investigation,” the officer added.
However, the suspect dismissed the prosecution’s allegations, stating that her residence is well known and that she is not in a position to interfere with any witnesses. “The children are already with the police; how will the accused interfere with them?” she asked through her advocate, Mr Jared Magolo.
Regina assured the court that she is ready to cooperate with the police and abide by any conditions that may be attached to her bond. She further argued that the offence is eligible for bail, and the fact that she has not built a house in Mombasa should not be used to label her as lacking a permanent place of abode or deny her bond.
“Not so many people own houses in Mombasa. The majority live in rented houses. We cannot classify them as flight risks simply because they do not own the property. The suspect was arrested in her house, and that is enough evidence that the police know where she resides,” said Mr Magolo.
The suspect denied all allegations and urged the court to grant her bail, pledging to attend all proceedings and maintain her innocence.
Mr Magolo submitted that the police’s claims remain speculative and unsupported by tangible evidence, and urged the court to impose lenient bond terms. Regina has been remanded in custody until July 2, when the court is expected to deliver a ruling on her bond application.
