Airbnb has distanced itself from the recent murder incidents in short-stay accommodation units in Nairobi with the recent being the Roysambu murder.
In a statement released by the company on Tuesday, the house allegedly used by the suspect to commit the murder was not listed on the platform.
Airbnb also presented its records to the police to aid in the investigations, after the Nigerian national was arrested at the airport while attempting to flee the country.
Further, the company refuted allegations that the accused persons in the Roysambu murder and that of Starlet Wahu, which occurred early in the year did not have accounts with Airbnb.
"We can confirm that neither of these events were connected to stays on Airbnb. We have today shared the following information with local police:
"The properties in which these crimes took place did not have reservations booked on Airbnb for the dates reported. We do not have accounts registered to the names of the accused," read the statement in part.
Notably, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua directed all Kenyans with short-stay accommodation units to ensure that they are certified even as the government intensifies its crackdown on the murders.
“To uphold the integrity of our tourism industry, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, through the Tourism Regulatory Authority, will rigorously enforce compliance, taking legal action against any violations of TRA licensing laws,” he stated.
Meanwhile, police arrested three suspects who were interrogated over the Roysambu murder. Preliminary reports indicated that one of the suspects was a Nigerian national.
It was yet to be clear whether the two suspects were alibis of the Nigerian national as their identities are yet to be made public by the police.
Police are expected to present the suspects in court today as investigations continue.
