Echoes of a Commercial Sex Worker

“Nilipata short ya Kshs 15000 as a cashier, lazima ningeilipa”, Sophie cleared her throat and spoke softly.

Sophie case tells the tale of many young girls who are trapped in the sex work world. Various circumstances have pushed them to the hard life of the streets in order to survive. The short in the accounts in Sophie’s case is such an example. Other reasons include unemployment, failed relationships, negative peer pressure among others. Unfortunately Sophie confesses that once in commercial sex work it is hard to leave it. Interestingly, there is more to her story. A scratch on the surface and one unearths a myriad of reasons why she opted to be in the red light district.

Sadly, commercial sex work thrives not only in major towns but also in other smaller towns such as Gilgil, a satellite town of Nakuru where Sophie hails from. This boom is due to either the action or inaction of various stakeholders in the community. For instance, parents front their young as neighbours’ watch in silence as more and more youths are sold off to the streets. Peer pressure and willing clients further fans this problem. Prostitution is illegal in Kenya but the business is lucrative nonetheless.

It raises the question: why do young women such as Sophie get into the “flesh business” in the first place? Well, talking to Sophie as I had mentioned tells you that there is more than she is saying. Through her speech and comments I noticed some pertinent issues that contribute to the state/job she is in. 

To begin with, she confesses that she has unresolved issues with her parents/guardian, she says:

“Wazazi wangu hawanipendi, wananichukia sana...they always neglected my opinions...nilihepa home”

This rejection coupled with a low paying job and low self esteem drove Sophie to the streets of Gilgil. During the day she spends her time sleeping before joining many other girls in the twilight business. She has no qualms about it describing it as any other work however void of any emotional attachment.

“Ni biashara kama zingine...I get a customer, he pays first and I give him the service...nothing more!”

Unknown to her and many other girls trapped in commercial sex work (CSW), the streets in the long run suppresses their dreams, conscience as well as their pain. Being a sex worker, Sophie confesses that she separates her body from the sex work. She numbs any feelings she has towards any of her clients. 

“There are clients that I like but I can’t be involved with them after the business, no feeling...thats how it is”

Sophie is however careful in her daily business. According to her, she has never had unprotected sex with any of her partners. In fact, without protection, she refuses to have sex. This has not been easy for some clients promise to give her more cash provided she has unprotected sex with them. 

Sophie who when growing up wanted to be a nurse, hope to pursue her dream. How? She hopes to achieve this by training as a HIV/AIDS counsellor. She hopes to reach out to her fellow CSW, asking them to be tested, knowing their status will help them plan their lives. 
 

Even though she paid the Kshs 15,000 debt, Sophie as well as many other girls is yet to be freed from the shackles of commercial sex work. To be freed from this form of modern day ‘slavery’.