My eye-opening experience handing out free condoms at the WRC

After my eye-opening interview with Stanley Ngara, the 'King of Condoms', I decided to join him on his mission to raise awareness of safe sex practices.

Along the way, I also picked up a few condoms to distribute myself.

As we interacted with a variety of young people, we saw a range of reactions when we approached them with a box of condoms.

Some were incredibly grateful. One young man who had travelled from Nairobi told us that he had forgotten to bring his own condoms.

He didn't want to buy more, especially when he already had a pack at home, but when he saw us giving them out, it felt like a stroke of luck.

We gave him three condoms and he asked for three more, which we were happy to provide - because safety comes first, right?

Others preferred the self-testing kits, and of course the King of Condoms gave them a quick lesson on how to use them.

Later, we spoke to a group of young men, none older than 25, who admitted they dreaded buying self-testing kits because they thought the process was too long and complicated.

While some were eager to learn more about safe sex, others were embarrassed and refused the condoms. One man even joked, 'Hizi mngepeana usiku', implying that it wasn't quite right to give them out during the day.

On the other hand, we met another man who proudly showed us a box of condoms he had already bought and was "ready" to use.

The King of Condoms praised him for his preparedness and emphasised, as he did in our interview, that Kenyans should prioritise buying condoms, especially given the current shortage. Condoms are an important form of protection.

I also remember a couple who told us they trusted each other completely and didn't use condoms.

What is clear is that, as a woke generation, we are still a long way from being free and open to talk about sex.