{UAH} Mombasa has 739 gay sex workers

Mombasa has 739 gay sex workers

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY MARTIN MWITA

BEAUTIFUL: Self-confessed 32-year-old gay man known as Amina during an interview in Mombasa on November 12, 2010. Photo Elkana Jacob

THERE are 739 homosexuals peddling sex in Mombasa, a study has revealed.

The research conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute shows the group, also known as men who have sex with men, is based in Mombasa and Kilifi.

The MSMs are engaged in commercial sex where majority of their clients have been reported to be heterosexuals including married men.

Kemri lead researcher Eduard Sanders said the MSMs frequent 77 locations in Mombasa.

The locations include bars, nightclubs, discos, beaches and private brothels.

Others are private estates and public streets and parks.

"We estimated that 739 MSMs sell sex in and around Mombasa. Of these, 484 were contacted through trained peer enumerators in a single day. MSMs in Mombasa represent a sizeable population who urgently need to be targeted by HIV prevention strategies," said Sanders.

He said the number is high due to stigmatisation and negligence by the society.

Coast region has been termed the leading area in homosexuality.

Speaking to the star yesterday, the Mtwapa Initiative for Positive Empowerment director Evans Gichuru said local and religious leaders are to blame for the increased number of MSMs and the group's HIV/Aids prevalence.

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-138786/mombasa-has-739-gay-sex-workers#sthash.fDObXERp.dpuf

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

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