In Kenya, gay people say they’d rather pursue risky alternative treatments than be humiliated in public hospitals.

Hosea Ndiretu was gang-raped by a group of guys as he left a Nairobi bar in February 2020. He realised he had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) after a few weeks and sought treatment at a government hospital.

However, the 26-year-old business management graduate said his time there was so traumatic; that he developed a fear of public hospitals.
“After the rape, I acquired anal warts that required immediate treatment; and I went to a government health centre since it was affordable,” Ndiretu told. “After hearing about my situation, the doctor inquired if I was gay.”