News
Women in camps turn to prostitution
Mothers queue to get food at an IDP camp in Nakuru. More than a year and a half after they fled their homes in the post-election violence, many women living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kenya are taking to prostitution to eke out a living. Photo/FILE
Posted Saturday, August 29 2009 at 17:43
“They are bought food, and they also get money to feed their starving family members at the camp,” he said. Some become pregnant, and when they give birth, he said, they leave their new-born babies with their mothers while they set off for towns like Nairobi or Nakuru.
“Here prostitution is more paying, and the girls can afford to send money to their parents to bring up the baby,” he adds.
At Shalom IDP camp, Hannah Njeri, a volunteer teacher, said hunger is pushing girls to exchange sex for food.
“We have very young girls who are sleeping with men of their fathers’ age in return for a day’s meal,” she said.
The sex trade has affected relationships between men and wives.
A number of men – who cannot be named out of respect for their privacy – confessed that their wives had abandoned them due to lack of food in the camp.
A 41-year-old man said his wife left him three months ago with the children.
“I don’t know where she is, but if she can feed our three children I don’t mind their absence. When they were here I had nothing to give them,” he said.
Ms Akinyi said counselling services and assistance for starting income-generating activities should be made available to women in the camps.
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Submitted by MbirimePosted September 03, 2009 07:04 AM
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Submitted by Daniel08
The politicians who funded and facilitated the violence are all eating and sleeping in the comfort of their mansions. It is clear the politicians have ignored and refused to address the plight of this suffering Kenyans. Kibaki, Raila or Ruto, have done anything meaningful to address the issue adequately. Kenyans should learn from this and shun this brand of politicians, and seek leaders with the best interest of Kenyans at heart, what we need is a complete overhaul in our leadership.
Posted September 03, 2009 12:05 AM -
Submitted by maureenakena
Where is my 30% tax going???!
Posted September 02, 2009 07:40 PM -
Submitted by jaredodhi
we have enough land to settle these people. our government has enough money to help them get started.this issue speaks volume about a nation incapable of solving its problems.testimony for failed leadership.
Posted September 02, 2009 11:09 AM -
Submitted by mahoo
its a shame that kenya leaders are unable to resettle 20,000 people. Shame on you Raila all this people are suffering because they were fighting for haki yako. Now that you are a PM and eating your share of Ugali, you have forgotten about them. REMEMBER this are the same people you will go back to in 2012
Posted September 02, 2009 06:19 AM
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And shame on that post by 'mahoo.' To this simple mind, Raila caused IDP camps! Some people's brains just cannot configure complex issues. Mr. Mahoo, learn to trace a murder to the blacksmith.