A section of sex commercial workers in Mombasa has notified their clients that they will not suspend their services come the election day on August 9.
Under the umbrella body of Nkoko Injuu Africa - a non-governmental organization that champions the rights of sex workers across the coast region through its Executive director Maryline Laini, they said that although they will exercise their democratic rights of voting they had resolved to work on the said day.
"Over 3000 of us are registered voters, however, we will not suspend our services, considering that we are essential workers but we have undergone civic education on the need to vote and we shall vote as we interact with would clients during the exercise," she said.
Also Read:
She noted that in a recent meeting they had resolved to vote for leaders who can improve their lives.
"We are decided and we will vote in for leaders who have our interest at heart. We want to be included in the agendas of counties and national leaders. For a long time, we had been neglected and we are tired and are now more empowered," she said.
Further, she said the sex workers should be free to secure employment since most of them qualify for jobs offered by both the national and local governments.
"Sex workers can also be employed, however, being labelled as a sex worker has implications on job hunting despite having qualified. We want to vote in leaders who will also consider our plight and understand that sex work is what feeds us," she noted.
Laini noted that they were expecting booming business on the said day since potential customers would be free after voting
"We expect to reap big, we have high hopes that social joints will still be operating to enable us entertain and provide services to our clients awaiting the outcome of the election," she added.
