“I have worked 5 years as a sex worker, in Eldoret, Mombasa and then Nairobi. In Eldoret, the county inspectorate would arrest and abuse us. I have been raped three times by the police and beaten by a mob because l am gay. This year alone, I have paid over KSh10,000 (US$100) in bribes.” Being gay or a being a sex worker is not a criminal offence, but extortion of bribes, abuse of office, torture, rape and sexual assault are serious criminal offences which law enforcement officers commit with impunity. Sex workers like Kevin are easy targets for corrupt officials and often pay a bribe to avoid the real risk of abuse, imprisonment or a hefty fine.
![](https://decrimpovertystatus.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/18-Kevin-joseph.jpg)
Credits: © Boniface Mwangi/OSF
Country: Kenya
Kevin Joseph
Theme:
Petty Offences
Human Rights
Use of Public Spaces
Petty Offences
Human Rights
Use of Public Spaces
People Groups:
LGBTQIA+ persons
People experiencing Poverty
Sex Workers
LGBTQIA+ persons
People experiencing Poverty
Sex Workers