Sex Workers Protest, Suspend Activities Over Rita Waeni, Starlet Wahu Killings

Thousands of sex workers in the Coastal region held protests on Thursday, January 18 in response to the increasing cases of femicide in Kenya, with attention drawn to the murders of Starlet Wahu and Rita Waeni which occurred in one week.

Nkoko Injuu Africa Executive Director Maryline Laini announced that members of her organization will not be offering sexual services to their clients in solidarity with the family of Waeni, a 20-year-old who was murdered in bizarre circumstances on Sunday, January 14 at TRM Drive in Roysambu, Nairobi.

Nkoko Injuu Africa is a nongovernmental organization that champions the rights of sex workers within the Coast region.

"We will be joining other civil societies from today to protest the death of Waeni and that of Starlet Wahu and many other women who have been murdered within a span of one year. This way we will be condemning the deaths of young women and girls who are murdered due to the type of work they do," she told the media.

Collage of slain Rita Waeni and Starlet Wahu. /VIRAL TEA KE

Laini explained that the protests were meant to force the government to offer sex workers security and safe working space in the wake of a series of reported femicide cases.

"Sex workers are taxpayers, we pay for taxes. We take care of our families through our work we need protection while at work just like any other worker in the country we need assurance of our safety while going on with our duties as well," she noted.

Laini called on members of her organization to restrain themselves from offering sexual services to their clients in solidarity with the feminist march set for Saturday, January 27.

"I call upon our members to stay away from their workplaces, not to involve themselves in any sexual activities from today up to when the march is held. This way we will be advocating for safe working spaces and also telling the world that we are tired of the killings targeting women in this country," the Nkoko Injuu Africa Executive Director stated.

Though Laini warned that throughout this period the sex workers would be unable to provide for their families, the move is a worthy cause where Kenyans should know that they need to be accorded the right to life, no matter the nature of their work.

She stressed that the latest spate of women killings in the country continued to cause fear among sex workers who remained vulnerable due to the nature of their work.

"We are no longer safe, the deaths targeting women are alarming. Our members are reporting to work but we do not feel safe while there. We need assurance from the country's security apparatus that our lives are protected while out there fending for our families," she added.

In Nyeri, a section of women held peaceful demonstrations in the town to urge the government to put measures in place and ensure that security is enhanced in lodgings and short-accommodation rooms by the owners to prevent femicide cases that have been witnessed in the past.

Led by Gatitu/Muruguru ward member of the county assembly(MCA) Wangechi Njithi, the lawmaker noted that women should be sensitized on the dangers of using social media channels to look for love.

"Our girls should know that it is not safe to look for their partners on social sites. They should exercise caution when meeting with strangers because we are tired of educating our girls only to be taken home in caskets. It is very painful for the parents," she stated.

The women further called upon the government and various women's organizations to facilitate talks with young university and college students to caution them of the dangers they are exposed to on social media.

The protests come amidst a planned feminist march slated for January 27 at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi dubbed #TotalShutdownKenyaAgain.