Kenyans Shocked After Condom Shortage Hits Naivasha

An acute condom shortage has hit Naivasha town as rally lovers continue trooping into the popular vacation destination to witness the ongoing World Safari Rally championships.

The event started on Thursday and is scheduled to end on Sunday, June 26.

Naivasha, better known to fun lovers as Vasha, is a popular vacation destination for holidaymakers.

But the hosting of the WRC has seen an upsurge of visitors to the town, including sex workers, leading to a shortage of condoms.

Stanley Ngara, commonly known as the ‘King of Condom’ says freely distributed government of Kenya condoms have run out.

“We have managed to buy and distribute to our lovely Kenyans. The demand is very high as we are talking. The sex workers are busy,” Stanley said.

The King of Condom spends his days educating people about safe sex practices and distributing condoms.

He is passionate about raising awareness on issues of sexual reproductive health and rights, including HIV and AIDS.

Stanley distributes the sheaths freely to different groups including the youth, sex workers, boda boda riders, university students, market traders and even drug users.

He says he has been a busy man since the Safari Rally event got underway on Thursday.

“Most of the businesses are now working 24 hours. I have spoken to a hotel businessman and he says his sales for condoms are very high,” Stanley said.

He said since free condoms from the government ran out, they have had to buy between 7,000, to 10,000 condoms with help from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a global AIDS organization to distribute to most vulnerable groups – sex workers.

“As per yesterday night (Thursday) we did a spot check and there was no sex worker on the streets and they are so many that means a lot of activities are happening here in Naivasha,” Stanley told the Star on phone.

“But we are encouraging people if you can buy condoms to protect yourself please do so,” Stanley said.