Eight people are being held in custody in Kwale County following a viral rumour circulating online claiming that men can lose their private parts after receiving a call from an unknown person or being touched by a stranger.

The eight suspects, who were presented before the Kwale Law Courts, are accused of assaulting a woman and causing her grievous bodily harm after one of the accused, Abushiri Mohammed Chuo, alleged that the complainant, Beatrice Akinyi, had caused his manhood to disappear after speaking to him.

Kwale Principal Magistrate Rose Ombata ordered the suspects Salama Omar Shindo, Ali Said Chidide, Hassan Iddi Mwapaka, Mwalimu Nassoro Bakari and Juma Rama Shindo to remain in custody until June 25, 2026, when a pre-bail report will be presented before the court determines their bond terms.

Two other suspects, Salim Hassan and Saidi Bakari, will remain in police custody until July 2, 2026, pending the filing of their pre-bail reports in relation to assault charges.

The two men also alleged that their private parts disappeared after being greeted by Maridhia Kassim. Both incidents were reported to have occurred on June 18, 2026, in Diani.