The Kenya Sex Workers, who celebrated their 10th anniversary on Thursday, launched a five-year strategic plan targeting increased membership and fight for their rights.
Led by their National Coordinator, Felistar Abdallah, the sex workers said their lobbying has seen a reduction in violence against their members over the past decade.
However, Abdallah said violence against sex workers has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time in which the sector has been badly-hit by night curfews since the trade is not primarily a daytime affair.
He said the workers only seek recognition and acceptance by society, saying there is nothing unusual about how they earn their living.
Abdallah said sex workers in Nairobi City number about 174,000 while there are about 380,000 colleagues in the rest of the country, many of the members of 75 registered affiliate groups.
Despite condemnation from the church, the lobby’s coordinator said they are here to stay and will engage all relevant authorities for the protection of their members.
Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, who attended the five-year strategic launch urged the government to offer sex workers protection rather than condemn them.
