Sex workers at Nyangoso market in Kisii County have raised alarm over what they termed as increased police harassment.
Speaking on Saturday at the market, the sex workers led by Lillian Nyakara claimed that some of the police officers harass them whenever they refuse to engage in sex with them.
“Police officers, especially those who operate at night don’t give us peace to allow us to run our business. We are being harassed by officers who even force us to sleep with them before they can allow us to continue with the trade,” she noted.
On her part, Vicky Nyanchama, a sex worker, threatened to mobilise her colleagues to go on a rampage should the officers continue harassing them.
“We will demonstrate to the county commissioner’s office on May 1,
2019 ifpolice won’t keep off our work. It should be known that it is through sex trade that we are able to put food on the table,” she noted.
She appealed to police officers to concentrate on protecting the people and stop harassing sex workers. Ms Nyanchama further claimed that married police officers patrolling at night seek the services of the sex workers but decline to pay them.
When reached for comment, Kisii assistant police commander Caleb Matoke said the sex workers should report any case of police harassment for appropriate action to be taken against the culprits.