Police accused of choking war on HIV/Aids by destroying condoms

Commercial sex workers cover their faces from the cameras after they were arrested by law enforcers for engaging in the illicit trade. [PHOTO: KABERIA KALUNGE/STANDARD]

The Kenya police and others from five countries were the subject of some very unkind words at the ongoing international Aids conference in Melbourne, Australia.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health through several outreach groups distributes condoms to sex workers mainly in urban areas, but a Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida) study presented at the forum says policemen trail these workers harass them, arrest their clients and destroy the products since prostitution is illegal.