This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Kenyan Sex Workers Share Their Struggles and Triumphs ¶
Published on July 19, 2019
Two sex workers in Nairobi, Vivian and Shiko, have spoken out about their experiences, revealing the challenges and rewards of their profession.
According to Vivian, she opted for sex work after struggling to find employment in Nairobi for two years. She sold miraa and worked as a bar maid, but it was the latter job that triggered her into sex work. 'I started getting clients from the place, which to some extent was feeding me, and that is how I realised it was not a bad job,' she said.
Shiko, on the other hand, has been in the business for years and has come to accept it as a means of survival. 'Commercial sex work is work like any other job because when you have kids, and you have house rent to take care of, there is no way you can just sit and expect money to come by your door,' she said.
Both women have regular clients and earn a decent income, with Vivian earning up to Sh5,000 per day and Shiko earning up to Sh10,000 in her bad days. However, they face numerous challenges, including harassment from clients, the Kanjos, and society at large.
Despite the challenges, the women are determined to continue with their profession, with Vivian saying, 'I can’t stop being a sex worker but I can open a business, and give it to someone to run it.' Shiko added, 'I have so many jobs running but I can’t honestly. I can’t leave the job unless when time will tell.'
The women are also fighting for the legalization of sex work in Kenya, citing the need for jobless individuals to feed their children. 'If it is not business, I am not ready to have you as a man,' Vivian said.
