STIs sweep Shamberere as sex-for-food scam rocks Polytechnic

Local Malava sub-county hospital and dispensaries around Shamberere National Polytechnic are witnessing an upsurge in patients seeking medical attention over sexually transmitted infections (STIs) mostly among students as sex for food rocks the institution.

Shamberere Poly boasts of an increasing population that is now over 3000 students.

The institution is situated just less than 500 metres from the private owned West Kenya sugar factory and most workers are hosting college girls by paying rent and providing basic needs for them.

At the same time, while showing care, they are sexually exploiting the girls with medics warning of higher risks of locals and the students contracting STIs and HIV/Aids.

A medic who sought anonymity revealed that most of those visiting health centres are being treated for Syphilis and Ghonorhea, and this he said was one step to HIV/AIDs infection.

Others, he said, were seeking abortion, which is an offence punishable in the law.

Local chemists are believed to be selling abortion drugs to students with the police being called upon to investigate the matter and arrest the sitution before it gets out of hand.

Circumstances, the source revealed, have forced some of the students into becoming partial sex workers at night and learners during the day demanding even as less as Kshs200 and even engage in unprotected sexual activities.

Shamberere Polytechnic Principal Elisha Nyamu has been urged to urgently address the issue before it gets worse.

Our source at the institution has revealed that tutors are also taking advantage of the vulnerability of girls to lure them into sexual relationships, and the administration, allegedly, is aware.

Parents have been asked to check on their girls as they are going through hell and are living in deplorable conditions in their quest for better education.