This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, Zimbabwean Buberry Bonnie Newman arrived in Kenya to finalize the paperwork for his wedding to his Kenyan fiancée, Susan Bwan. However, the next day, he found himself behind bars, facing charges of defilement.
According to Newman, he had met Bwan on an online dating site five years ago and had been in a relationship with her since then. Their relationship had progressed well until his first visit to Kenya in December 2018, when they met in person.
Newman, a 51-year-old electrical engineer from the UK, had returned to Kenya with the intention of marrying Bwan, investing in a project with her, and then flying back to the UK with her. However, upon landing at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, he was received by Bwan and some children aged between 14 and 17 years.
“The reception at the airport was warm,” Newman said. “One of the minors gave me a long, firm hug, and we later proceeded to my fiancée’s house near Mtwapa.”
However, Newman's visit took a turn for the worse when he was arrested the next day on charges of defilement. He claimed that he had been surrounded by armed police officers and informed that he was under arrest without being told what his crime was.
It was later revealed that the allegations against Newman were false and had been made by Bwan's friend, Ms. Mutaiwua, who had accused him of defiling her daughter. However, police investigations found that Mutaiwua had lied to fix the foreigner and fleece him.
Ms. Mutaiwua was subsequently charged with false information maliciously made with intent to disadvantage the unsuspecting foreigner. The police suspect that Mutaiwua and her daughter were using the minor to extort cash from wealthy foreigners.
Ms. Mutaiwua and her daughter are also key witnesses in another case where Turkish tycoon Elsek Osman is accused of defiling a minor and committing indecent acts with three others against their will.
Newman has since cancelled the wedding and is fighting for his freedom. If found guilty, Ms. Mutaiwua may be liable to life imprisonment. She is currently out on bond after pleading not guilty.
