Gusii Road: Nakuru's street where twilight girls operate 24/7

A stroll down Nakuru’s Gusii Road, between Gituamba building and Taidy’s Suites, reveals the different businesses going on as vehicles and pedestrians contend for space.

If you are keen enough, you will notice another business conspicuously standing out; literally.

Ladies attractively dressed to draw the attention of the men seeking companionship stand individually or in twos and threes, in not very low voices, as their gestures emphasize their discussion.

They are twilight girls, strategically positioned next to a lodging.

A recon by Mtaa Wangu on different times of the day across two days reveals that this is a 24-hour business.

Passing through these streets is met by uninviting looks. If one lingers for too long or stares, you are quickly shooed away by unprintable words.

Kevin Mwendwa, a resident of Nakuru highlights that he has been forced to use alternative routes to get to his barber opposite former Tuskys magic building, as the women can be “persistent” sometimes, making him uncomfortable.

In the evening, from 6 pm, the ladies expand their market base, coming out of the shadows of the grid roads to the main road, as others stand in front of drinking joints.

So organised is this trade, that the women have an association dubbed ‘Smart Ladies Association of Nakuru’.

We spoke to Daisy Achieng’, the spokesperson of the association who says although they had been conducting business previously for 24 hours, the Covid-19 pandemic solidified the shift as business was booming.

“Now, as the cost of living rises so have the number of girls we have. This has become a challenge to the business as the clients are now spread out across more women,” Achieng’ laments.

She however notes that the biggest challenge the women have is inadequate condoms and lubricants.

“If we can get those, our work will significantly improve,” she says.

We enquired whether the women experience harassment from the police.

“We are never harassed by the police. We have found a way to work together an ensure we toe the line of law.”

While businesses along the lane seem to be minimally disturbed by their presence, unfortunately, a lot of hairdressers along the street have unmistakably been assumed to be of the trade despite them wearing obvious and boldly branded aprons.