Sun, Safaris and Sex Tourism in Kenya

Kenyan Prostitutes Hope for Rescue

But the reality of what these arrangements mean for young Kenyan women and men are usually much different than the fantasy they are selling. Some are not actual professional prostitutes, but poor young men and women who believe a rich "white knight" will come and rescue them and give them a life of Western luxury.

While there is the occasional story of a couple who end up in a loving, long-term relationship, for the most part, it's the Kenyan who ends up eventually suffering. Kenya is still a relatively conservative, religious society, and men and women who get involved in "relationships" with tourists are often ostracized.

"For the tourist, they really don't care," said Naruk. "The attitude is: 'I can have sex with you, I can make you pregnant, I can even infect you with HIV and move on with my life. As long as I give you money, it's fine.'"

She tells the story of an acquaintance of hers who at 23 years old became involved with a 45-year-old British man in Kenya on business. He wined and dined her, and when his business was over he went back to the United Kingdom, leaving her pregnant. Naruk says her friend has not seen the man in years. The encounter ruined the woman's life.

"She had to quit college, her job and move back home with her mother," said Naruk. "She has never recovered, and her child will never know his father."

And while most Kenyans admit that no one forces these young women and men to get involved with Western tourists, they are unhappy about the reputation for easy sex the country has -- and they place the blame squarely on the "immoral" behavior of the tourists coming here.

"It's like, because you're white and you have money you can get away with all of this, and it's OK," said Naruk. "But it's not."