Ngei's brave daughter take the city BY flavour

May 12, 2007

Saturday May 12, 2007

The rubbery world of 'mama flavour'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excuse me, good evening, " a beaming woman in a black pair of trousers

and t-shirt inscribed 'mama flavour' on the back approaches a group of

four men seated at a table at the simmers bar and restaurant.

It is approaching 10.30pm and judging by the number of revellers one

can attest to the adage that, " Kenyans don't get busy until the

streetlights are turned on and don't close until the sun rises. "

Ms Ruth Ngei ventures out at night to entertainment spots in Nairobi.

Away from the tables many others are busy twisting their bodies on the

floor to Jamnazi's song Riziki. Ironically, the song castigates many

who go about their business at night as if it was day, without

resting.

The four men are startled and a little upset at the intrusion but

their curiosity gets the better of them seeing it's a woman. Nairobi

being what it is, many are accustomed to enterprising souls hawking

anything from shoes, socks, cosmetics, watches, you name it, the

ungodly hours not withstanding.

Nice flavour

With her broad disarming smile she explains her intrusion. " I'm Mama

Flavour and I sell flavoured condoms, " she says as she removes some

from her handbag. Within no time the condoms of different flavours and

scents are displayed in all their array and splendour including,

chocolate, banana, strawberry, watermelon flavours etc.

The flavours not withstanding the condoms have different features and

can be either plain, studded, ringed or ribbed.

Ms Ruth Ngei has been selling condoms at different entertainment spots

in Nairobi since 2004. For many there would never be enough courage to

venture into her profession. " I guess you can say I have the courage

of my late father, " she says referring to the former freedom fighter

and Cabinet minister Ngei.

What started out as a job, became a passion that she wouldn't change

for any other occupation. " I was employed to sell condoms but after

two months I made it my own business, " she says. She is enthusiastic

about her vocation and it's social impact. " My father fought for Uhuru

and I'm fighting to keep the people alive by advocating for safe sex, "

says the 36-year-old.

At first, it was not easy, and the reactions from the revellers are

varied from the hilarious to the absurd. " Some are offended, and don't

hide it, others laugh while others shout unprintable words to my

face, " she says laughing. But many others find her amusing enough to

give her attention though this is not always the case.

" One woman thought that I was questioning her morality when I tried

selling her the condoms. She grabbed my hair and it took the

intervention of the management and the threat to call the police to

cool her down, " she recalls. One infuriated man poured alcohol on her

and threw the condoms away. " I guess he had had a bad day, " she told

herself.

Many feel offended

She demonstrates the variety of condoms she sells and how they are used.

Through her initial experiences she developed a strategy that has

helped her in her business.

" Many people take offence when condoms are thrust in their faces,

especially in the company of the opposite sex with whom they have no

sexual intentions, " she says. This made her lace her language with

symbolism, and humour, making it as witty as possible. " I tell them

condom is like a gun which you must carry for you never know when it

might come in handy. "

Many people she has realised throw caution to the wind in the heat of

the moment.

Mama Flavour's day (night) starts when many others are retiring at the

end of a long day. " By around 7pm I'm already in town in different

entertainment joints till around 5am the next morning, " she says.

Starting from Winkers, she moves to Zanze, Ronalo's and many others

before she finally settles at Simmers at around 10pm. " I love Simmers

because the entertainment is all night, " she says.

Likening her profession to walking through a minefield, she has learnt

to cope with the different situations that constantly arise. " Some men

pretend to take offence, snarl, hiss like rattled snakes and hurl

insults your way only to send a waiter for some condoms or waylay me

later for some, " she says laughing.

" Others will say that they can only buy the condoms if I'm willing to

offer myself as a partner. " At times she is forced to offer free

lessons on the proper use of condoms. " Many, especially Sudanese,

always appreciate a demonstration of its use, " she says.

Condom vendor and counsellor

Due to the different people that she comes across, Mama Flavour is

often forced to go beyond her business duty and offer counselling

services. Her heart goes out to young commercial sex workers who

frequent these places.

" I took a course on Community Health and Outreach and another one on

VCT Counselling, " she says. When she realised that many sex workers

were drug addicts she also took a course on counselling drug users.

" It became more of a challenge every day and sometimes I had to direct

them to counselling centres for more help, " she says.

From the sales of condoms Mama Flavour who lives at pays her

rent and educates her three children. " At least I can say I get enough

money to cater for my needs, " she says happily.

Big business

The condoms most of which she gets from the producers are sold at

different prices depending on their quality. " The cheapest is Sh50

while the most expensive is Sh200, " she says. Her worst days are

usually Sundays when she sells about 25 condoms, this is nothing

compared to what she sells on Fridays or on the eve of a major

holiday. To cater for every one's sexual orientations she has special

condoms for homosexuals and lesbians.

In the course of her nocturnal business, Mama Flavour has built a firm

base of clientele. " There are some individuals who buy condoms to last

a week and I know their preferences hence don't waste much time in

discussions, " she says. Some of her customers are MPs whom she

convinces to be a good example to the electorate.

" I tell them to be leaders in every sense including showing the

benefits of safe sex and they oblige, " she says. " They even go ahead

and buy for their friends, " she adds. Among her clients are foreigners

who have remained faithful clients.

" I have Rwandese friends and whenever they visit they look for me and

make sure they buy stocks to last their stay in Kenya, " she says.

Whenever the man proves to be stubborn and he is with a female

company, she turns to the lady. " I tell her the benefit of safe sex

and the importance of condoms after all she might be a partner, " she

says. At times it helps but at other times the man will take offence

and chase her away. At times she has approached a " couple " only to

realise it's a brother and sister. " Even then they will still need

condoms with their respective partners. "

Ruth is the forth born of the late Ngei's second wife. Her decision to

venture into this business did not go well with the family. " Only my

mother supported me all through, " she says. Her brothers were offended

and still are.

" One of my brothers who is a reverend, hates introducing me to his

friends lest they ask me what I do for a living, " she says. The few

times she has mentioned her vocation, frowns and knowing looks have

followed much to the embarrassment of the brother. " They think that

because I frequent night spots and mix with revellers I must be a

prostitute, " she adds. Ruth informed her three children about her

occupation.

" This was to prepare them against any stories they might hear, " she

says. Her effort has paid off because they fully support her. " During

the day when I'm sleeping they will not let anyone disturb me. " Her

daughter, 10, arranges for her the condoms according to flavours.

Despite her tremendous effort in campaigning for safe sex, Mama

Flavour would love to do more. " I would want to set up an organisation

that works with commercial sex workers. The emphasis will be help them

take care of themselves through advocating safe sex, " she says.

Her joy is that many girls at these entertainment spots use condoms.

" They have realised that their protection is of paramount importance, "

she says.

Watching Mama Flavour go about her business, one can't help but admire

her sheer determination and courage. She sure treads where few would

dare.

Send to friend

May 12, 2007