Airbnb: No connection to two grisly murders in Kenya
In the wake of two horrifying murders that have sent shockwaves across the nation, Airbnb has taken a proactive stance by distancing itself from the gruesome incidents and reinforcing its commitment to user safety.
The first victim, Starlet Wahu, met a tragic end in a short-term rental apartment in South B, allegedly at the hands of John Matara whom police have said is the main suspect.
A few days later, the second victim, a 24-year-old woman whose identity remains undisclosed, suffered a brutal fate with her dismembered body parts found in a garbage disposal area of an apartment on TRM Drive.
The perpetrator’s photos were circulated from CCTV footage. He is still at large.
In response to these heinous crimes, Airbnb released a media statement addressing safety concerns and outlining their enhanced safety measures.
The company clarified in a media statement that neither of these crimes had any connection to stays booked through their platform.
The key points highlighted by Airbnb are as follows:
The properties where these crimes occurred did not have reservations booked on Airbnb during the reported dates.
There are no Airbnb accounts registered under the names of the accused individuals.
“The company places a strong emphasis on the identity verification process as a critical component of user safety,” the statement read.
Airbnb’s statement highlighted the importance of connecting users to their 24/7 Safety team, offering support to those who may feel unsafe during their stays.
The in-app 24 Hour Safety Line, available in English, provides a direct link to the specialised Safety team, and the company actively shares safety tips for offline interactions.
Furthermore, Airbnb restated its commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies to address illegal activities on its platform.
The company asserts a zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior and commits to taking swift action on any reported issues.