Are you among some Kenyans who have coined strange names for condoms when they visit shops or other outlets to buy this commodity for fear of the stigma associated with casual sex?
Many people in major towns have coined pseudo names such as gumboots, spare wheel, umbrella and even polythene in order to access “do or die commodity” just to avoid mentioning because of its association with casual sexual escapades with untrustworthy partners.
Such people would not want it known that they do indeed engage in sexual liaisons with partners they don’t trust; besides they consider themselves too decent to associate with women of loose morals.
Why?
Because majority of them do not have the courage to stand at the counters of the supermarkets or local shops and chemists to buy condoms like any other items, because of If you are one of them, there’s a relief for you; therefore you need not to worry anymore. Barber shops and Salons have come to the rescue, and are stocking condom dispensers in their facilities to enhance that their customers get free access to these important protective gears.
A spot check around the city estates established that a good number of barbershops and a couple of salons have taken these crucial steps, just like any other common public places. “This is not a trick to entice customers to the facility, but a campaign to sensitize youths and other customers on the advantages of using protection in their sexual activities,” says Michael Kiilu a barber in Tala town.
“Most of our customers are young men who may not have enough money to buy condoms, some of which retail for up to Sh200; here my customers can walk in and pick them for free,” he adds.
Kiilu says he get condoms from dispensaries around as well as from volunteers who deliver them and he never runs short of them.
“I feel good doing this because it boosts my business and at the end of the day I save the lives of people who could not afford or are afraid of purchasing the regalia from shops and chemists,” says Kiilu.
Shopkeepers and supermarkets attendants also have a story to tell on those who enter into the facilities to buy condoms.
“Some people come mentioning strange names and ‘jargon’, thinking that we all know what they want, others scribble the name on a piece of paper while the rest wait until the counter clears to buy quickly and throw it into the pocket,” says Esther Nzembi.
Although it is a big shame that at this day and age, one should still shy away from buying what saves their lives because of fear of another person, the idea is very timely.
However, just like male circumcision is not 100 percent reliable to prevent one from contracting HIV/Aids, the use of a condom is also not 100 percent safe, according to researchers.
To an acceptable extent, though, condoms which are purely made from rubber protect one from unwanted pregnancies and other deadly, sexually transmitted diseases.