By Benjamin Wakoli
Commercial sex workers in Busia County have urged the Ministry of Health to consider them among Kenyans of priority when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination.
Speaking though their chairperson, Caroline Kemunto, on Wednesday, March 3, the sex workers said they come into physical contact with tens of customers daily, hence are at high risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
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“After the government is done vaccinating doctors and teachers, it should embark on vaccinating us,” said Kemunto, adding: “We are a high-risk group for COVID-19 because we interact with people from all health backgrounds.”
The sex workers spoke in Nambale Town while commemorating the International Sex Workers' Rights Day.
“The government should not look down upon us, we are also contributing to the economy in one way or another,” said Kemunto.
Kenya received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, March 2. The batch, which was shipped from Doha in Qatar, contains 1.02 million jabs, which will serve half a million Kenyans.
On February 25, the Cabinet announced that healthcare workers, security personnel, teachers, employees of hospitality companies such as hotels and vulnerable persons will be given priority when it comes to receiving COVID-19 vaccination.
The Government said it had “ratified the distribution framework for the vaccines”.
