Missing Kenya tourist mystery: Sex worker held by police
A Kenya sex worker is under police custody accused of masterminding a missing South African tourist last week.
Police in the Kenyan western town of Kakamega said the sex worker was in a company of the missing South African tourist just a few hours after his arrival in Kenya.
The sex worker identified by the Kenyan police is said to have eloped with the South African tourist late last month at a club within the Kakamega Central Business District (CBD).
Police detectives said that the suspect sex worker was seen booking a room for the South African tourist, but moments later, she returned at the pub without her client. The tourist and the sex worker were on a drinking spree at the pub when they left and then booked a room at a nearby lodge.
Upon her return, the owner of the bar inquired about the whereabouts of the customer, but she could not explain where she had left him, which compelled the owner to report the incident to the police, the Kenyan media had reported.
An investigative officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said that the suspect was the last person to be seen with the tourist. Efforts to trace his whereabouts, whether dead or alive, have been unsuccessful.
The South African tourist is said to have jetted from Kenya through Kisumu International Airport on September 28, and his return ticket indicated that he was to return to South Africa the second day.
The investigating officer said they are yet to prefer any charge against the suspect until they are able to find the complainant.
She shall not suffer any prejudice and, therefore, we pray for more time, the police said.
The officers speculate that the tourist was robbed of his valuables, saying that even his mobile phone was switched off. The incident is perceived to have caused a diplomatic spat between Kenya and South Africa, forcing police officers to work around the clock to unravel the mystery.
Kenya and South Africa recently held a trade workshop targeting how to market travel and tourist products and services between the two leading safari destinations in Africa.
The workshop was organized in partnership with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) and South African Product Owners (SAPO). Delegates from both sides discussed that improved security coupled with relaxed visa processes will aid in enticing more people to visit the largest country in Africa.
source: eTN
