Commercial sex workers in Eldoret have said that they are well-prepared for the looming El Niño rains, following alerts by the weatherman.
They explained that through their chama, they have saved enough money and are now investing in warm, revealing and body-hugging clothes.
The sex workers said El Niño is a blessing in disguise and claim that things are looking up since their key clients who are farmers, have already started harvesting.
“Hii mvua haki imekua ya baraka, wakulima wameanza kuvuna sasa biashara itaendelea tu (the El Niño rains are actually a blessing. Farmers have already started harvesting so, it will be business as usual for us),” said Chantelle Kerubo
The prostitutes however called on hotel owners to “reinforce their roofs so that there are no leakages because they don’t want to lose clients.”
One of the sex workers, Mary Jerop, explained that their calendar cannot be interrupted and the cycle must not break. The Nairobian has learnt that the calendar begins in August in Narok with wheat farmers. They then move to Kisii, Kericho and Nandi for tea bonus. Later, they migrate to Eldoret for the Uasin Gishu wheat harvest.
“This year, there has been a lot of in this town because of athletes who trained for the World Championships,” Jerop added. The prostitutes remain visible in their trademark skimpy dressing and are strategically positioned in several bars and lodgings along Eldoret’s Oginga Odinga Road.
Farmers, who bring their wheat for sale to the National Cereals and Produce Board and local millers in town, have in the past lost their hard-earned cash to prostitutes.
The cases include a farmer who lost Sh450,000.
“Business has been down since January as people spent their money on their farms and to pay school fees. Now, we are competing for few clients who don’t pay well. But I know the rainy season will bring more customers, especially if it falls after farmers have harvested and sold their yields,” says Nyaboke Lydiah.
Sammy Ngunjiri who operates a cab along Oginga Odinga Road near a popular joint says, “When these girls come to town, we also get good business.”
