The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a stern warning to residents of the Coastal region over a growing wave of fraudulent “genital disappearance” claims, saying the hoax is being exploited by criminal gangs to incite mob violence and facilitate theft.

According to the DCI Coast Region Coordinator, Benson Kasyoki, 19 incidents linked to the false allegations have been reported across Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties, resulting in two deaths after innocent members of the public were lynched by angry mobs.

The cases have been recorded in Kwale (seven), Kilifi (nine) and Mombasa (three). One person was killed in Kwale and another in Mombasa after being falsely accused of causing the alleged disappearance or shrinking of victims’ genital organs through physical contact.

The DCI said investigations conducted jointly with the Ministry of Health and County Medical Officers found no medical evidence to support the claims.

“All alleged victims were subjected to thorough clinical examinations and forensic medical assessments, which conclusively established that there was no physical harm, anatomical change or loss of organs,” Kasyoki said.

Investigators now believe the incidents are part of an organised criminal scheme designed to create panic and distract members of the public while accomplices steal from unsuspecting victims.

According to the DCI, the criminals typically stage a scene in which one suspect falsely claims their genital organs have disappeared after being touched by another person. As crowds gather and turn against the accused, accomplices allegedly take advantage of the chaos to pickpocket, rob pedestrians and commit other crimes.

The investigator further blamed the rapid spread of the rumours on individuals circulating false and unverified information on social media, saying the misinformation has fuelled public panic and violence.

In response, the Regional Criminal Investigation Officer has ordered intensified operations across the Coast region. And currently, detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and mobile phone recordings from the fatal incidents in Kwale and Mombasa to identify individuals involved in the mob attacks, where anyone found to have participated in, incited or encouraged the killings is at the risk of facing murder charges.

The DCI has also warned that individuals who deliberately raise false alarms claiming their organs have disappeared will be arrested and prosecuted for incitement to violence and creating a public disturbance.

At the same time, cybercrime detectives have been deployed to track those spreading the hoaxes online. The agency said 17 of the 19 reported cases are already before the courts.