Safe Sex in Kenya Taxis

The Belgium-based International Center for Reproductive Health (ICRH) has started an aggressive initiative to educate Kenyans about safe sex. Kenya's minibus taxis are fast, colorful and often dangerous. Decorated with pictures of music idols and sports stars, the so-called matatus also carry less than encouraging slogans. "Day-Time Lover," reads one, while another welcomes passengers to "The Ticket to Hell." However, a new sticker campaign is using matatus to carry quite a different message -- the fight against AIDS. ICRH has published stickers that now serve as the main decorations on the matatus. The campaign is also backed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A recent survey on HIV/AIDS carried out among 3,000 people across the country revealed that many Kenyans have not changed their sexual behavior, even though the disease is killing up to 600 people a day. Despite many AIDS campaigns, Kenyans are still divided on how the pandemic will ultimately be tamed. In an independent poll commissioned by Kenya's leading media organizations, more than 55 percent of those surveyed said they thought condoms encouraged immorality. Mainstream religious leaders are opposed to the distribution of condoms, which they insist promote casual sex, the main source of HIV infection in Kenya. Overall the survey revealed that although most Kenyans know about the disease that is devastating their country, they are confused about how to respond to it.

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