I had sex in the bush, got infected fending for my children

How was your childhood?

As I child I could make prophesies. Even before my mother died in 2015, I had asked her to repent two years earlier. My late mother told me that my father had disowned me even before I was born.

I used to wonder why I was the neglected one in a family of 11. I have been through a lot and because of that, I dropped out in Class Seven. I scored 320 marks in my end-term exam.

At the age of 15 years, I decided to help my mother eke out a living for the family. I got a job in Meru in 1989, where I was earning Sh400 a month. I asked my employer to send my salary directly to my mother so that she could cater for the needs of my siblings.

How old were you when you became a prostitute?

I was 24 (in 1998). At the time, I had moved from Majengo to Mlolongo, where we started a village called Kicheko with some friends.

Why did you become a prostitute?

Poverty pushed me to prostitution. My husband was less concerned about our children. At the time, there were no mobile phones, so it was hard to call someone for help.

I therefore opted for prostitution for the sake of my children.

Who introduced you to the trade?

It was my own decision. I was a Christian before that and learnt a lot from my mother who was God-fearing. But I backslided.

Where did you take your clients?

There were no rooms for rent in our days and Mlolongo was one big bush. We did it on the ground by the roadside. I really thank God snakes did not bite my back.

Mlolongo town grew and we moved our business to Madharau Street. I was in that trade for so long, I cannot tell how many people I have had sex with.

How much were you paid for your services?

Back in the day, we charged Sh50 for sex and I could make as much Sh300 in a day, which was a lot of money. But on bad days, I even went home empty-handed.

What is the worst thing that happened to you?

I realised I was infected with HIV/Aids between 2004 and 2006. Things got tough.  I used to got to Kenyatta National Hospital for medication, which was very expensive.

I didn’t have enough money and the doctor told me, “Enda ukakufie Mbagathi.” But I was determined to live and told the female doctor that, “Siendi kukufa, lakini naenda kuokoa maisha yangu!”

After so much soul-searching it became obvious that only God gave life, not the doctors.

At what point did you realise enough was enough?

In 2007, my husband got diabetes. I decided to give my life to Christ and believed that with or without work, my children will survive.

In 2010, I joined a Community-Based Organisation in Mlolongo which has really helped with medication.

When did you get saved?

That was in 2007 when I was about to give birth to my fourth born. During that period, I saw death and decided to get saved.

What did your family think of your job back then?

My husband did not know what I was doing because he would disappear for two weeks and only come back when broke. My children were too young and didn’t know how I earned my living.