Reasons behind the significant rise in male prostitution in Nairobi

In a surprising development, Nairobi has witnessed a significant rise in the number of male sex workers. This shift challenges traditional views on male intimacy and has ignited widespread discussions.

Recent research conducted by the National AIDS and Control Programme, the Key Population Consortium of Kenya, Partners for Health and Development in Africa, the Global Health Program at the University of California San Francisco, and the Institute for Global Public Health at the University of Manitoba, Canada, reveals that the number of male sex workers has surged by 76% over the past decade, while the increase among female sex workers stands at 26%.

Men engage in male-to-male sex work (MSM) for several reasons:

1. Economic Necessity: Many men face financial difficulties and find traditional employment insufficient to meet their needs. Sex work provides a quick and often more lucrative source of income compared to conventional jobs.
2. Flexibility: The nature of sex work offers flexible hours, allowing individuals to balance other responsibilities like family or education, while still earning more than they might in typical employment.
3. Exploration of Identity and Social Stigma: Engaging in sex work provides men with a platform to explore their sexuality in a safer environment, driven by both financial incentives and personal exploration.
4. Challenging Societal Norms: Participation in sex work can also be seen as a way to resist and challenge traditional norms and expectations around masculinity and sexuality, offering a space to redefine gender roles and sexual behavior.