Sex workers in Kiambu and Murang'a urged to quit trade

Some of the reforming sex workers from Thika Town chat after receiving food donations from well-wishers on Wednesday May 25, 2016. Most said they joined the trade to fend for their children after separating from their husbands. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Wapate director, who is also a former sex worker, said the initiative offers sex workers health education and advocacy.
  • It also goes an extra mile in enabling those willing to quit the trade venture into income generating activities.
  • The money will be released on a needs-assessment basis to individual bank accounts, a pastor at the church confirmed.
  • Murang'a Town has an estimated 4,000 sex workers.

Commercial sex workers operating in Kiambu and Murang'a counties have been urged to quit the trade and start alternative income-generating projects.

A group of peer educators, female sex workers men having sex with men and reformed sex workers are urging commercial sex workers to register for a reforms programme that will help them quit their trade.

The programme dubbed 'Wapate Initiative Rudisha Mama Nyumbani' seeks to reform willing commercial sex workers living in Murang'a and Kiambu.

In an interview with the Nation in Thika, the Wapate director, who is also a former sex worker, said the initiative offers sex workers health education and advocacy and goes an extra mile in enabling those willing to quit the trade venture into income generating activities.

"Our third batch of beneficiaries is about to benefit from Sh4.1 million grant from a church in Thika which will mark a turning point in their lives," said the director.

The money will be released on a needs-assessment basis to individual bank accounts, a pastor at the church confirmed.

"We will provide the initial capital needed to establish the enterprises and pay their house rent and food for two months before releasing the rest of the money on need-assessment basis," said Pastor Peter Ndung'u.

According to Pastor Ndung'u, that is the only way the beneficiaries can channel released funds into their intended use.

The fund will benefit about 45 former sex workers from the two target counties.

"I will use the funds to start up a small hotel for construction workers in Kiandutu slums. This is a major boost that will help me get my mind off prostitution," said reformed sex worker, who is a beneficiary of the programme.

YET TO QUIT TRADE

Another one, who is yet to quit prostitution due to what she terms as financial frustrations in providing for her five children, promises to leave the streets once she finds an alternative source of livelihood.

"Prostitution does not guarantee me constant income, it has its high and low seasons.

“Living in Kiandutu slums where there are no farms to work on demands that I search for a constant source of income. I am hopeful that my days of shame are coming to an end," she said.

According to Wapate programmes officer Evans Onyango, Thika Sub-County alone is estimated to have 1,028 male and female commercial sex workers, the highest number among Kiambu county's 11,000 sex workers' population.

Murang'a Town has an estimated 4,000 sex workers.

The sex workers are urging more organisations to help the initiative enable more men and women to leave the streets.

"Since the programme was started in 2011, about 70 sex workers have reformed and are running small but successful businesses both in Thika and Murang'a counties," said Mr Onyango.