Kenyan Prostitute Retires at 49, Records at Least 28,000 Men Serviced

A 49-year-old Kenyan woman has officially retired from sex work after 22 years in the trade, during which she estimates having serviced approximately 28,000 men across various locations in the country.

Sarah Mutero, a mother of two sons, worked in Nairobi’s city centre, Embu, and the Majengo area, saying she entered the profession due to economic hardship and lack of stable employment. She described her two-decade journey as one marked by hardship, resilience, and sacrifice.

“It was never easy,” Mutero said. “People think there is a lot of money in the business, but most of what I earned went into taking care of my family and raising my children.”

Mutero revealed that despite the long years of work, financial stability remained a challenge, with earnings often just enough to cover basic necessities such as rent, food, clothing, and her children’s education.

To mark her retirement, supporters and well-wishers gifted her a parcel of land in Makuyu, Murang’a County, valued at approximately KSh120,000. Additional pledges have been made to help build her a house, giving her an opportunity to begin a new phase of life away from the streets.

Mutero said her two sons have always encouraged her to leave the trade and believes they were aware of her work, often praying for a better future for her.

“I want to retire and settle down quietly,” she stated. “I am not interested in going back. I just want to enjoy life with my children.”

As younger workers continue entering the trade, Mutero hopes her retirement will inspire others in the informal sex industry to plan for life beyond the profession and seek opportunities for a more secure future.