The list of shame: I lost count of all the men I slept with

By Cate Mukei | 8yrs ago | 3 min read

Video Vixen Mary Wanjiku has compiled a long list of shame featuring top businessmen who preferred to have unprotected sex with her for Sh10,000. She shares her story with Cate Mukei

Who is Mary Wanjiku?

I’m a 21-year-old Sarakasi Trust dancer. I was brought up in Huruma by a single mother after our father abandoned us. After high school I did not even want to go to college since I wanted to make quick money and support my mother. I would work in hotels as a cleaner and sometimes as a house help. Initially, I just wanted to be a banker.

How did you get into prostitution?

One night in 2013 November, a friend (a stripper in a local club) invited me for a party in Umoja estate but when we got there, I found a group of older men. She left me at the table and a man in his 50s approached me. I was only 18 and naive. I kept entertaining the guy as he bought me alcohol. We got tired and very high and he suggested that we should book a room. He assumed that I knew what he wanted and he was shocked when I resisted. He put Sh15,000 on the table and I finally slept with him for the money.

What did you tell your mother when you got home with the money?

I told her that it was my savings. However I felt very bad about it. But this was just the beginning as I got deeper into prostitution. She really did not follow up much on how I got the money as we desperately needed it.

Tell us more about this...

There was a frequent customer at the bar I was working at. He would give me tips every night and in return he would hook me up with men every weekend. He was my pimp.

Who were your customers and how much did you charge?

Most of them were older businessmen. I made Sh10,000 if I slept with them without protection and Sh2,000 with protection. Most men preferred to sleep with me without a condom and since I was desperate for the money, I chose to sleep with them without protection.

Were you not afraid of getting infected with HIV?

I did not care. All I thought about was the money and if sleeping with a man with a condom was going to deny me Sh8,000 then I was ready to get infected. All this time I was writing a list of men I slept with.

What was the list for?

I knew that one day I would quit the trade but before then I planned on calling all the men and sleep with them for the last time. I did that towards the end of 2013. I called all of them and made Sh80,000 in two weeks.

What did you do with the money?

Actually I just went out with my friends and bought clothes. The money was over in three months. I decided to go back to my old lifestyle but luckily I met a friend who encouraged me to turn my life around. She even hooked me up with a counsellor.

As a prostitute, how many men did you sleep with?

I lost count.

How did you join Sarakasi Trust?

After the counselling sessions in 2014, I was advised to pursue my talent as a dancer. Luckily, The Amani Lazima road show was ongoing at Huruma and I auditioned. I was just doing it for fun and luckily I was called a few days later to join the dance group.

Did you ever go for a HIV test?

Yes. I was sure that I was HIV positive and when I found out that I was negative, I knew that God had a purpose for me in this world. If I had tested positive, I would have committed suicide.

What are some of your achievements so far?

I have featured in Sauti Sol’s popular video Sura Yako as part of the crew that introduced Lipala dance. Most importantly, I’m able to support my family decently now.