This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 18, 2019, a dramatic scene unfolded in Likoni, Mombasa, as police disrupted business at a local brothel, leaving clients scrambling to leave without paying for services rendered.
The women involved in the sex trade demanded respect, stating that their business should be treated with decency, just like any other.
“Police should put themselves in our shoes. You cannot just storm a brothel and haphazardly arrest customers, with some still naked and force them into a waiting van,” lamented a sex worker, identified as Rose.
Following the raid, some sex workers took to the streets to protest the harassment, accusing police of extorting them of their earnings and demanding free sex in exchange for freedom.
“The rogue officers even molest us by indecently touching us, manhandling our customers and demanding free sex, which is tantamount to shoplifting,” complained Fatma, a sex worker with four years of experience.
She called for the full legalization and taxation of their trade, arguing that the current situation is akin to burying their heads in the sand.
“Instead of police coming here every now and then demanding Sh500 bob from each one of us or clumsily arresting us, why not legalise this trade and let us pay tax, if that will assure us ease of doing business,” wondered Fatma.
