The sharp rise in prostitution across Kenya is increasingly being linked to the nation’s growing cost of living. For many women, the economic hardship has left them with few options — pushing them into sex work as a desperate means to earn a living. One town that has come under particular scrutiny is Kakamega, in western Kenya, where the issue appears to be escalating rapidly.
A recently viral video captured scenes from Vike Street, a well-known area within Kakamega town, which has now become a hotspot for commercial sex work. The footage has triggered widespread concern among Kenyans, revealing a street openly operating as a red-light zone — and doing so in broad daylight.
Young women, many barely out of their teens, line the sidewalks dressed in revealing outfits, confidently approaching men to offer their services. What’s especially startling is the visibility and openness with which these transactions occur, often within arm’s reach of religious institutions. In fact, Vike Street is reportedly surrounded by some of the region’s most prominent churches — a juxtaposition that has fueled public outcry.
Numerous makeshift rooms and lodgings have sprung up along the street, serving as venues for these encounters. With the country’s economic pressures mounting, some women reportedly charge as little as Ksh. 50 per client, with room for negotiation. While the prices are shockingly low, the risks — physical, emotional, and health-related — remain alarmingly high.
Tensions sometimes escalate when clients refuse to pay, leading to incidents where groups of women confront and forcibly extract payment. Such occurrences highlight the vulnerability of these women, who often operate without legal protection or healthcare access.
The situation in Kakamega underscores the urgent need for government intervention. County leadership must take proactive steps to provide alternative livelihoods, support services, and safe environments — not only to curb the rise of prostitution but to protect vulnerable women from exploitation, violence, and long-term social consequences.
