Inside Kenya's links in unsealed Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking files

The unsealing of the fresh files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Edward Epstein has thrust Kenya into the spotlight after emerging among the African destinations favoured by the offender in his sex tourism escapades. A review of some of the files by The Standard reveals mentions of the country's top tourist destinations frequented by Epstein's associates, and possibly victims. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed were subjects of texts in the mails, but there was no evidence of criminal involvement. In September 2013, Emirati billionaire businessman Sultan bin Sulayem travelled to Nairobi for the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta as Kenya transitioned from President Mwai Kibaki's administration, perhaps driven by the need to align investments with the new government. While in Kenya, the businessman and Epstein talked about the event, with each man suggesting a close association with the new Commander-In-Chief. Sultan wrote, "I am in Nairobi attending the inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta, whom I know very well, as the president of Kenya." Epstein replied, "Great guy, let's visit there together in June." While it is unclear whether the visit, or the meeting, with President Kenyatta happened, subsequent emails show Esptein pushing on with the plans. He hired the services of American Express Travel, which made travel arrangements for the tour to Africa and Asia. According to the itinerary, the man would jet into Kenya and South Africa across different days. On June 1, 2013, Epstein departed JFK Airport in New York aboard a South African Airlines flight and landed in Johannesburg early in the morning on the next day. After a two-hour layover in Joburg, he took another flight destined for Nairobi, arriving at 3.10pm. He spent nine days in the country before eventually flying back to South Africa where he shuttled between cities. After an eight-day stay in South Africa, he travelled back to the United States via Singapore and China. Epstein either travelled in business or first class. A year later, businessman Sultan wrote to Epstein about a three-hour meeting held with President Kenyatta in Mombasa to discuss the construction of a logistics park to serve Kenya and its neighbours: South Sudan, Uganda, the Central African Republic, and Rwanda. Also present was then CS Mohammed, whose photo was also shared with Epstein. Sultan appears to have been Esptein's access card to African heads of state, as seen in an email he wrote on July 29, 2013, seeking clarification on whether to proceed with or terminate plans for meetings with presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, Joseph Kabila (DRC), Ali Bongo (Gabon), Macky Sall (Senegal), and Paul Kagame (Rwanda). The Office of the Fourth President has remained tight-lipped on the matter despite it being the subject of viral online commentaries since the release of the files. Epstein's business interests in Kenya appeared to have been diverse. In one instance, he shared links with associates on tech opportunities, including an impending wide-scale adoption of Bitcoin in Kenya amid a rapid mobile phones adoption. In another, they discuss Safaricom's hit M-Pesa mobile money transfer service with someone identified as Boris Nikolic. "It is amazing how it is getting out there. Already more than 50 per cent of adults in Kenya are using it. Now it is starting in South Africa and Egypt. India is in a year or two. The whole concept of M-Pesa was started by a guy that I know, Nick Hughes. If you are ever interested to learn more," Boris told Epstein. This was in 2010 when Safaricom rolled out the product in the foreign markets through its Vodafone and Vodacom subsidiaries. The service has since been discontinued in India and South Africa. On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Chauntae Davies joined several other survivors of convicted sex trafficker Epstein for a presser on the steps of the US Capitol, narrating her initiation into the ring by his then girlfriend and fellow convict Ghislaine Maxwell. It was in 2002 when Ms Davies, then an aspiring actress, met the billionaire who promised to leverage his influence, money, and power to provide a much-needed boost for her budding career. Soon, she was neither on a movie set nor making appearances at big industry events. Instead, she was massaging Epstein at his private residence. Later, Davies began serving Epstein's elite clients during trips, notably including those in Africa. "I was even taken on a trip to Africa with former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures," she said. A raft of emails from the 3.5 million files newly released by the US Department of Justice in line with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, corroborate claims of his involvement with Africa and offer a glimpse into Epstein's dark forays on the continent. Coastal beaches A digital search of the Epstein Library on the DOJ website, using the keyword 'Kenya' as a keyword, produces 495 search results, many containing correspondence between Epstein and associates or service providers regarding plans for activities in the country. Kenya was a favourite destination in Africa and fit well in Epstein's plot to lure young girls into the scheme as world leaders, royals, billionaires, and celebrity clients waited for delivery of the girls, some of whom were underage. Epstein's "black book" lists Muthaiga Club in Nairobi, conservationist Kuki Gallmann, and Laikipia developers Nick and Heather Day, plus Cecil Mark-none implying crime, but raising queries on luxury safaris or villas' misuse. Ghislaine, Epstein's associate, visited Kenya frequently. Her father, Robert Maxwell, part-owned a local newspaper in the 1980s via a political party venture, fueling speculation on media ties though unproven. The US Justice Department library, updated on February 3, 2026 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, houses millions of pages with no verified Kenyan criminal activity. Searches yield emails and lists, not indictments. Other Kenya-linked individuals in Epstein's directory, beyond Muthaiga Club and Kuki Gallmann, include Cecil Mark and Mini (Nairobi), plus Nick and Heather Day of P&D Development Company in Rumuruti, Laikipia, with Kenyan and UK contacts. Circulating photos depict Epstein at a foreign tycoon's Malindi coastal property, but timing is unclear and no files confirm dates or activities. The tycoon denies knowledge of crimes. Cecil Mark and Mini are listed with Nairobi, Kenya address, though no further context or interactions is noted in files. Nick and Heather Day, associated with P&D Development, Rumuruti, Laikipia; developers with dual Kenya-UK details, potentially tied to luxury properties or safaris. These entries form a contact directory seized in 2009, including over 1,500 names, like Trump and Clinton, listing proves no meetings or crimes. No emails, flights, or roles link them to Epstein's trafficking; media stress public-interest questions on elite networks without evidence. Recruits were seemingly offered fully funded trips to Kenya's sandy coastal beaches, trips in the wild in parks like the Maasai Mara, rides in private jets, and long stays in five-star hotels.

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