This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
Published on October 22, 2019, a shocking trend has emerged in Kenya where some women have formed relationships with married men, known as 'sponsors', who provide them with financial support in exchange for companionship.
These women, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have spoken out about their experiences, revealing the extent of their relationships with these men.
One woman, Jane, shared her story, stating that she has had four sponsors over the years, and that she does not sleep with them. Instead, she receives money and goodies from them, with each sponsor sending her approximately Ksh 25,000 per month.
Another woman, Nelly, revealed that she has been in a relationship with a married man for eight years, and that he provides for her and her child. She stated that she is comfortable with the arrangement and that her partner has even advised her to stop working.
However, not all stories have a happy ending. A caller shared a tragic tale of a friend who was arrested and sentenced to prison for aiding and abetting a man who used her account to launder money. The man had been sending her $5,000 per month, and she had no idea where the money was coming from.
One male caller also spoke about being a sponsor, stating that he sends Ksh 10,000 per month to a woman who is not his girlfriend, but a good friend. He claimed that there are things that he shares with her that he cannot share with his wife.
