Kenyan gay inmates in need of condoms to curb HIV infections
Despite the subject of homosexuality being taboo in Kenya, as it is in most African countries, but practice of men sleeping with men is rife in the country, especially in the correctional facilities where men engage in sexual intercourse with fellow men, fueling the spread of HIV.
Kenya has in the recent past made strides in the fight against HIV, reducing new infections significantly, but there is a group that has been forgotten – the prisoners.
Daniel Nzioka, an openly gay Kenyan, reportedly says that one cannot achieve much in the war against HIV if the homosexuals are excluded from State programmes.
“How can we fight HIV if we don’t include men who have sex with men?” poses Daniel.
Homosexuality among male prisoners is reportedly rife, and with the deplorable conditions of unpleasant food and small uninhabitable rooms, the prisoners are forced to engage sexually with other men who are in the position to get them preferential treatment.
Calvin Wafula (not his real name) served his prison sentence at the Naivasha Maximum Prison, where he says many inmates are forced to have sex with others for favours such as better sanitation, food and even resting areas.
“When I was brought to the prison, I realized some of the other inmates get preferential treatment, good food including meat, while I was fed on vegetables every day. One night, a man approached me and he began touching me, but I resisted, but he told me that if I accept, I will get special treatment, get better food and even bedding.”
Juma Nzuga, who served at the Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa County, says that prior to his arrest, he could not stand the idea of men having sex with each other, but he was raped in prison and got used to it. Now, he says it is impossible to revert.
“I was attacked by a fellow inmate at the Shomo la Tewa Prison, he was huge. He blindfolded me, threw me to the ground and raped me over and over and that became a habit.”
Calvin has appealed to the government to avail condoms in prisons to bring down HIV transmission rates.
“A huge percentage of new inmates in prison are raped, so the government should avail condoms in the prison that one can use.”
But Deputy Director at the National Aids and STI Control Program, Martin Sirengo, is reported to have said that this is impossible, insisting that the behaviour goes against morality and even the laws of the Kenya.
“It is impossible to avail condoms in correctional facilities because as we all know, in prisons, male and female inmates are separated, so when you avail condoms to the prisons, what are you telling the world?”
Sobie Mulindi, a former director at the National Aids Control Program says the government should ensure that each and every Kenyan has access to condoms without discriminating.
“If condoms are used correctly and consistently, they can prevent the spread of HIV. So we want everyone to access condoms freely without discrimination. We are saying that condoms cannot be hidden in the toilets. We want them to be made available and accessible to everyone who needs them.”
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15 Comments
Simba
September 17, 07:22Lol at Kenya, a classical example of an average African thinking processes. Those men shall be released after serving their jail terms, they shall be reintegrated back into the society, and probably fuck ur daughters and wives. Thereby introducing new Incident HIV infection, all this grammar could easily be avoided by making condoms available in the prisons without the world knowing. Give them condoms, and pretend lol
Mandy
September 17, 10:10This point you made is, like, so obvious. Like really, how are these officials so blinded by their prejudice that they don’t see the harm they’re actually causing their society? These men will fuck finish in prison, contract HIV, get released, come back out into the society, return to their wives and girlfriends and carry on spreading it.
And all this because stupid homophobic government officials are worried about what they are telling the world.
Nawa o!
sexysunshine
September 18, 17:49Have you considered that it is your daughter and wife that will be fucked. or… maybe you have exempted yourself from having a daughter and a wife
Francis
September 17, 07:32Sad when doctors start acting like illiterates.
Lorde
September 17, 08:15They are busy thinking what the world would say…….don’t worry…the world will soon have sth to say about your hiv prevalence rate
sexysunshine
September 18, 17:54The 6th pillar of Islam is the Jihad, described by some schools to be a war. Considering that there is freedom of religion, i would suggest pre-arrangement of ammunition for every moslem child born to enable them carry out their religious tenets. just in the same way that i would support pre-arranging condoms for rape of men in prisons…
me
sexysunshine
September 18, 18:01The world has something to say about everything… I am a Public Health Pharmacist i know about all they say concerning Africa’s health status… I have a reply for the world
Mandy
September 17, 10:11Shey this is what Nigeria says will cure gay Nigerians. 14 years in prison with other men.
Issorait.
quinn
September 17, 13:08Una sure say them no swear for this Africa so? I mean, hello? common sense?
Delle
September 17, 13:33The one that was raped and raped by a huge schlong and got used to it though ???
trystham
September 17, 18:24Loool. Bend over and take it like u wannit
sexysunshine
September 18, 17:58lol
Canis VY Majoris
September 18, 06:34I’m so terrified of prison??
sexysunshine
September 18, 17:57No, them so swear for Africa… we have bigger problems to tackle and better methods of tackling them than – providing condoms for men to “rape”other men
…Sexy African
Malik
September 18, 19:42Practical solution: if the government can’t provide condoms, as that would be paradoxical to the state legislature, at least support an NGO that will do the work underG.