Sex work in Kenya

Sex work in Kenya

is a complex issue with legal, social, health, and human rights implications. The legal situation is somewhat confusing. Sex work itself (the exchange of sexual services for money) is not explicitly illegal under Kenyan law, but related activities are. The Penal Code prohibits: - Soliciting prostitution in public spaces ("prostitution"). - Living off the proceeds of sex work (pimping, operating a brothel). - This leads to a contradictory legal environment in which sex workers are frequently harassed, arrested, and extorted by the police. The influential role of the Church in Kenya in shaping the discourse on sex work must be emphasized. The Church's position is a defining and influential force in the national debate. The vast majority of Christian denominations in Kenya (Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal) strongly and unequivocally condemn sex work. Moral and theological justifications are offered. It is considered a sin that violates the sanctity of human sexuality, which is regarded as a gift from God for marriage between a man and a woman. Key biblical passages cited include those dealing with sexual immorality and the sanctity of the body (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:18–20). The church also cites the social harm. It argues that prostitution exploits women, destroys families, promotes infidelity, and contributes to the moral decay of society. The churches (consciously or unconsciously) equate all sex work with human trafficking and view it solely as a form of exploitation and violence against women and children. Why sex work in Kenya? Here are some reasons. People are drawn into sex work due to various factors: - Poverty and economic hardship; - Unemployment and lack of opportunities; - Social inequalities; - Family obligations; The risks and challenges faced by sex workers. They face significant risks: - First, there is violence. Frequent cases of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by clients, police, and gangs, with limited legal recourse. - Then there are the health risks. Disproportionately high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections result from a lack of control over condom use and access to healthcare. - Stigma and discrimination. A strong social stigma leads to isolation, family rejection, and discrimination in healthcare and other services. - Police harassment and extortion. Arbitrary arrests, the confiscation of condoms as "evidence," and demands for bribes are commonplace. - Lack of legal protection. Fear of arrest prevents sex workers from reporting crimes, making them easy targets for criminals. Sex workers in Kenya operate in a high-risk environment characterized by repressive laws, stigmatization, and economic exclusion. The public health approach has made progress in HIV prevention, but human rights violations remain systemic. The growing human rights movement advocates for the decriminalization of sex work as the most effective way to protect health, safety, and dignity, viewing it as both a public health imperative and a matter of social justice. Why this article matters: Standardmedia reports that in 2025, 27 sex workers were murdered. 345 cases of violence against sex workers were recorded. These deaths demonstrate how laws that criminalize consensual sex work are perpetuating the problem. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001536765/27-sex-workers-killed-in-nairobi-as-government-sits-on-femicide-report