Fabian is a male sex worker who works in Nairobi. He is also a peer counselor, reaching out to other Men who have Sex with Men, known as MSM. In this photo essay, Dzame Dallu followed him while distributing condoms and lubricants in clubs and lodges in downtown Nairobi, part of his duty as a peer counselor. He told Dzame how he discovered he was gay in his early school life.
Nascop in Kenya, the National Aids and STI Control Council, has a program targeting male sex workers, who form part of the group identified as Most at Risk Populations. Safe sex and condom use is a vital part of the program, as MSM are 20 times more likely to be HIV infected than a heterosexual man, during unprotected sex.
"Some people may wonder why Internews encourages journalists to write stories about sex work when prostitution is not legal in Kenya", says Internews Country Director, "but an activity being illegal doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Jooste explained that it was important for sex workers themselves, their clients and the general population to realize Kenya has an education and support program to minimize HIV infection among sex workers and MSM.
