Surviving the client: Violence Kenya’s sex workers face every day
Commercial sex workers in Kenya are facing increasing levels of violence, with reports of brutal attacks and femicide becoming more frequent. Organizations like Kiaswa are working to support victims and advocate for justice, highlighting the normalization of violence against this vulnerable group.
Why it matters
This report sheds light on a critical human rights and public safety issue regarding the systemic violence faced by marginalized workers.
The night of December 31, 2024, will forever remain scarifying and horrific for Catherine Kathambi. As the world was engulfed in celebrating the end of a year, she was staring at her death and fiercely fighting to stay alive.
“I had clocked in for my shift as a commercial sex worker with high spirits because it was a holiday and I hoped I would get a good client,” she says. Instead, the night went south when the client brutally attacked her at a club in Thika town, close to the town’s main stage, left her for dead, and disappeared into the crowds celebrating outside.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in