A bishop in Machakos has condemned increased prostitution in Mavoko terming it a shame to the community and against biblical teachings.
Speaking to Hivisasa on phone, Bishop Nicholas Muli, of the Champions of Christ Temple International Church said the "taboo" trade is on the increase in most towns of the Mavoko sub county.
"As the clergy and opinion leaders in this region cannot continue keeping quiet as prostitution takes over our towns, the business is unethical and against biblical teachings," said Muli.
Muli said it was unfortunate that nobody was taking about the increasing prostitution in towns such as Mlolongo, Chumvi, Athi River and the neighboring Kitengela towns where he says hundreds of young girls and women are continuing to engage in the vice.
He argued that the silence among the leaders had been taken for consent by the women who he says are openly soliciting.
He said that many avoided talking about the issue since it was shameful and at times can spark heated debates comparing it with recent debates about homosexuality.
Jane Ouma, a single mother and a former commercial sex worker said women engaging in the activity see it as their only source of livelihood and thus inevitable.
"It is neither fun nor is it rewarding since those who resort to it do so out of despair and life frustrations," she said.
She said she left the streets after being rescued by a local non-governmental organization in Athi Rive. They put her through training and secured her a job where now she says she gets reasonable pay to fend for her children alongside meeting her other daily needs.
Muli dismissed life frustrations as reasons for joining the trade arguing that there were several options and alternatives that those seeking sources of decent livelihoods could engage in.
He said that the state should make prostitution illegal to save many lives especially future generations claiming that the trade had attracted more of young women than the aged.