Yaytseslav:The Russian Man Behind Viral Videos of Women in Kenya

Videos of a white Russian man identified as Yaytseslav have raised questions across Africa after he uploaded them on his TikTok account, sparking debates in Kenya, Ghana, and other parts of the continent. In Kenya, the videos show him approaching different women and young girls in supermarkets, streets, and malls, and later walking with them to booked hotel rooms. This has angered Kenyan men, especially during the Valentine’s period, a time meant for couples to share love. Many people still do not know the intentions behind his actions, as investigations are ongoing.

Who Is Yaytseslav?

Yaytseslav — also known as Vyacheslav Trahov — is reportedly from Russia. According to sources, he was on a tour in Africa, first landing in Ghana before coming to Kenya. He seems to have understood that many Africans live in poverty and may be easily influenced by financial incentives. Women, on the other hand, often prefer foreign men as they believe they have money to support, spoil, and potentially marry them.

The videos show that with just light conversation, he approaches women in public, exchanges numbers, and later meets them in his booked Airbnbs. Some of the women are married, while others are working professionals. This has raised questions about whether the financial offers they receive are sufficient to meet their needs.

Yaytseslav Picture

Reports also suggest that he recorded the women using high-tech sunglasses with built-in cameras, which are difficult to detect. The sunglasses reportedly cost around Ksh 50,000 — roughly the average monthly salary of a Kenyan. This shows he has significant resources and had planned his activities carefully while in Africa.

His identity as a Russian national and other personal details have not been independently verified by official sources. Most of what is known comes from online posts and user-generated content.

Has the Government Taken Any Action?

There is no official confirmation that law enforcement agencies in Kenya or Ghana have formally charged Yaytseslav with any offense. However, the controversy has highlighted important issues such as:

Digital privacy and the rights of individuals captured on video
Consent in recording and sharing personal interactions
Legal protections against exploitation in online content

Digital rights experts and advocacy groups have emphasized that even consensual meetings do not automatically imply consent for filming or public sharing.

He is still in Kenya as of 13 February. He was spotted around Roysambu near Mirema Drive, an area flooded with most university students.

Russian Man with Kenya girl

Kenyans’ Reactions After the Incident

On Facebook, Kenyans shared a wide range of opinions:

Reen Milly
“Everyone makes choices… and I would go on the high road and say oh, it was wrong, oh, they shouldn’t have done that… but it’s a fact of life. They are adults of sober minds and no one was coerced. So yes, they made the choice. The consequences, however, are what they have to deal with. Unfortunately, it’s always a bittersweet affair…”

Kleins Kleins
“Imagine logging into Facebook and finding the love of your life jumping like a festival over white skin.”

Rotich Kiptoo
“This is extremely serious. The authorities must investigate thoroughly and ensure justice for the women affected. Exploiting anyone in this way is unacceptable.”

Montana Jacquelyne
“He never forced them. Some Kenyan ladies are just loose. If you sell sukuma [vegetables] to earn a little money, you shouldn’t end up foolish all the time. So stop complaining. Congrats to the Russian man, next time cut the sambusa and take it with you.”

James Mwangi
“He is marketing our country, just like IShow Speed. You will see how we will get more male tourists coming to Kenya.”