Project Youth, Stimulants, and HIV Risk in Kenya
Stimulant use – especially in sexualised settings – has become increasingly normalized in some parts of Kenya. To better understand these dynamics, Mainline in collaboration with the Muslim Education and Welfare Association (MEWA) conducted community-led research on stimulant use for sexual activities in Mombasa and Lamu.
‘When I have money, I buy more. When I don’t, I steal – it’s the only way to cope,’ one participant said. Another said: ‘Seeing posts about stimulants makes it seem like everyone’s doing it. You don’t think about the risks.’ These quotes reflect the complex social and economic realities many young people in Kenya face today.
The study, which is part of a joint project funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, aimed to explore the health and service needs of young people who use stimulants in sexualised settings in Mombasa and Lamu.The report sheds light on stimulant use – especially the use of Muguka and Miraa – particularly among unemployed youth. The substances are cheap and widely available and are used to enhance sexual performance or to cope with economic hardship. But among those already marginalised youth, the use can result in job loss, health problems, and social isolation, creating a cycle of further marginalisation. Access to care is severely limited due to stigma, fear of legal consequences, and a lack of tailored services.
The report recommends expanding stimulant-specific harm reduction services, integrating sexual and mental health care, and launching economic empowerment programs such as vocational training. More attention must be paid to holistic support. MEWA continues to advocate for youth-led, community-rooted harm reduction strategies that respond to the complex realities of stimulant use among Kenyan youth.
