News
Kenya Is Counting Its Gays
In order to try to control the spread of HIV, Kenya is conducting a census of the gay population.
This study will be conducted by NASCOP (the National Aids/STI Control Programme). Participants will be contacted through gay networks and areas with a strong gay community.
Questions asked will include condom use, sexual history and previous HIV testing.
This is due to begin early next year around January or February next year.
However, one major concern is that people may be too afraid to come forward, meaning that the survey would be rendered inaccurate. This is because homosexuality is a punishable offence in Kenya, which could result in a 14 year prison sentence.
When discussing the matter, the head of NASCOP Nicholas Muraguri said that he was aware that it is unlikely that a precise figure will be obtained. It is estimated that there are around 100,000 gay people in the cities Nairobi and Mombasa alone.
He continued on to state that: "Kenyans cannot actually afford to say that the gay community are isolated somewhere in the corner – they are part of our lives".
"This group must be reached with information and services so they know how to protect themselves from getting infected".
