Desperate Times, Desperate Measures: One On One With A Sex Worker

By Soko Directory Team / Published February 20, 2021 | 11:06 am

KEY POINTS

Sex work is a topic of controversy all over the globe. Conservatives may see it as a degradation of morals while Progressives see it as any other line of work.

By Sally Lizwa

Prostitution is the oldest profession in the books and according to Britannica, it is the practice of engaging in relatively indiscriminate sexual activity, with someone who is not a spouse or a friend, in exchange for immediate payment in money or other valuables.

Prostitutes may be female or male or transgender and may entail heterosexual or homosexual activity, but historically most prostitutes have been women, and most clients men.

Sex work is a topic of controversy all over the globe. Conservatives may see it as a degradation of morals while Progressives see it as any other line of work.

In Kenya, prostitution is widespread, and the legal situation on the issue is complex. Although it is not criminalized by Federal law, municipal by-laws prohibit it. It is illegal to profit from the prostitution of others, and to aid, abet, compel or incite prostitution. (Sections 153 and 154 of the Penal Code).

However, times have changed, and the sex industry has not been left behind. With new-age technology, the industry just like any other, ‘fights’ to stay relevant.

Amid Covid-19 times, the industry has had to adjust to the ‘new’ normal to keep up. Sites like OnlyFans have gained traction all over the world and have now become among the many sites offering adult content at a price.

Just like the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, OnlyFans is an online content-sharing platform that has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus pandemic. While OnlyFans creators can upload any kind of content, like photography, creative writing, or recipes, for example, the platform is particularly popular with sex workers.

*Moraa (not her real identity) is a 22-year-old sex worker in Nairobi. Going by her social media pages, she is very open about her line of work. She has an incredibly massive following and is constantly updating her followers on her whereabouts.

“I got into this line of work because I am a passionate person and besides, I get to make good money while at it.” She tells me. On further interrogation, she shares that her clientele rarely consists of Nairobi men thus the preference for white ex-pats that reside in the city. She exclaims that “Nairobi men are ‘tough’ when it comes to spending money especially on sex!”

Her social media updates show her at different locations every weekend assumably with a different client. Not only does she post on her whereabouts but also what she makes after her escapades inclusive of numerous trips to the bank. Asked about the influence she has on her followers, she had this to say,

“I like what I do and no matter how much it has changed my lifestyle, I wouldn’t advise anyone to go for it. Just like any other type of work, there are bad days. I not only have to maintain a certain look, but I also have to do things I would not necessarily do. It is not a bed of roses.” She concluded.

Without thought of consequence, those considering joining this line of work might be blinded by the lucrative ‘venture’ and be victims of not only exploitation and abuse but many other unhighlighted dangers that come with it. During the lockdown, OnlyFans has become so popular that sex workers have found that the market is saturated, as reported by U.S online publication, Newsweek.

“Some OnlyFans creators report earning more money during the lockdown, while others report earning less money due to their fans facing financial struggles and the saturation of the market.” The publication indicated.

Younger people these days post everything on social media and the use of online platforms to market themselves is just one step further. If you are making money, that appeals to a lot of people especially when it’s so difficult to find a job at the moment with the increased rate of unemployment in Kenya.

The industry is expected to continue to grow as most of the countries head into the worst recession seen in decades. “Online sex work is already becoming much more visible, more socially acceptable,” Moraa mentions. “The sooner we acknowledge this the better,” she finishes.

About the author

Lizwa Sally is a journalist and a storyteller. She believes that writing is the silent spoken feeling that comes out just when you need it and I’m all about that. Engaging you in writing that not only entertains and educates you but also resonates with you.

About Soko Directory Team

Soko Directory is a Financial and Markets digital portal that tracks brands, listed firms on the NSE, SMEs and trend setters in the markets eco-system.Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/SokoDirectory and on Twitter: twitter.com/SokoDirectory

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