NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 15 – Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga has urged the government to regulate Airbnb accommodations following increasing murders of women.
Omanga, in a post on her social media account, expressed concern about the rising dangers faced by young women who are lured into Airbnb properties and subsequently killed.
Over the past week, two women were murdered after being booked in Airbnb accommodations in Nairobi.
One of the victims, socialite Starlet Wahu, was found dead in a South B apartment.
A man, John Matara, who had spent the night with her, was later arrested as he sought treatment in hospital for a stomach stab wound.
Preliminary investigations suggest he may be linked to serial killings.
In another incident, a dismembered body of a woman was discovered in an Airbnb property in Roysambu, raising safety concerns.
“With the increase in homicides in Airbnb properties, there is an urgent need for government intervention to regulate this sector. These accommodations have undoubtedly become dangerous for young girls, and we have a moral obligation to put an end to this menace,” Omanga stated.
In the Roysambu case, police suspect that an unknown man murdered the middle-aged woman by dismembering her and placing her remains in polythene bags, attempting to dispose of them in a dustbin.
Police have launched an investigation and manhunt of the man after he was seen leaving the apartment in blood-stained clothes.
