From bedroom toys to virtual relationships: Inside Thika's closed-door pleasure boom

A woman identified as Beatrice Waitherero Irungu is accused of operating a brothel within Thika. [Courtesy]

The discovery of vibrators, dildos, butt plugs, massage oils, computers and ring lights during a police raid in Thika on June 22, 2024, has reignited a conversation that many Kenyans would rather avoid in public but actively engage in private.

When detectives stormed a rented house in Chania One Estate, Ngoigwa, and arrested Beatrice Waitherero Irungu, accused of operating a brothel, the assortment of items recovered painted a picture of a changing landscape of sexuality in Kenya.

Beyond the criminal allegations being investigated by police, the seizure highlighted a reality that is becoming harder to ignore: sex toys and digitally driven adult content are no longer fringe phenomena. They are part of a rapidly expanding industry quietly reshaping how many Kenyans experience intimacy, pleasure and even entrepreneurship.

Also found in the house during the Thika raid were 12 individuals identified as Paul Kamau Wangari, Glen Atuta Mburu, Abdi Osman Hersi, Renson Etiir Lokatoi, Alice Njeri Ndung’u, Amina Said Omar, Jane Marubu, Lydia Ekunoit Kerio, Monica Mueni Masinu, Brenda Wanjiku Nyambura, Dorcas Njeri Njuguna and Grace Akiai Nyasike. Police accused them of prostitution and compelling individuals to engage in sex work.

For decades, sex toys in Kenya existed largely in the shadows. They were bought through trusted friends returning from abroad, discreetly sourced from hidden shops or acquired through whispered referrals among close confidants.

Owning one was considered scandalous, and few people would admit to using such products. Conversations about sexual pleasure outside marriage were often frowned upon, particularly for women, and anything associated with masturbation was viewed as immoral or culturally unacceptable.

Today, that secrecy is fading.

A quick scroll through social media platforms reveals numerous vendors openly advertising vibrators, lubricants, massage oils and other adult wellness products. Most offer discreet delivery services, mobile money payment options and customer support through direct messages. What was once an underground trade has evolved into a thriving online marketplace.

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In Mombasa, one of the country’s best-known sex-toy vendors has built a substantial following online, regularly showcasing products to thousands of followers who openly inquire about prices, payment methods and delivery options. Similar businesses have emerged in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, targeting a growing customer base that cuts across age, gender and relationship status.

The demand has not gone unnoticed by authorities.

Over the years, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted and detained shipments containing adult toys at airports and border points. In one widely publicised incident, sex toys were seized at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after passengers allegedly attempted to conceal them in hand luggage. The owners reportedly claimed the items were intended for personal use.

In 2023, KRA also published a notice listing consignments that included sex toys and other personal items that had remained unclaimed after importation. The notice generated widespread discussion on social media and drew attention to the growing number of such products entering the country.

The authority’s strict import requirements have made adult wellness products a complicated business. Importers say products are often subjected to classification reviews, customs scrutiny and physical inspections. Because of the sensitive nature of the merchandise, many buyers prefer discreet shipping arrangements that minimise public exposure.

Despite these hurdles, business continues to flourish.

Some 12 suspects were arrested in Thika when detectives stormed a rented house at Chania One Estate. [Courtesy]

Market prices vary significantly. Basic products can cost between Sh500 and Sh4,500, while premium devices featuring rechargeable batteries, multiple vibration settings, remote controls and smartphone connectivity can cost tens of thousands of shillings. Some imported luxury models sell for more than Sh20,000.

While vibrators remain among the most popular products, retailers say customer preferences have become increasingly diverse. Dildos, butt plugs, lubricants, masturbation sleeves, cock rings, and couples’ intimacy kits are all finding buyers. Products that once seemed exotic or foreign are now becoming familiar to many urban consumers.

The highly publicised Rose vibrator has become something of a cultural phenomenon among young women. Its popularity has been amplified by TikTok reviews, influencer discussions and word-of-mouth recommendations.

For Cynthia, not her real name, purchasing her first vibrator shortly after university graduation was less about experimentation and more about convenience.

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“In campus, my boyfriend was around most of the time,” she says. “After graduation, we went our separate ways, and I found myself looking for a safer option that didn’t involve casual relationships.”

Sexual wellness

The Nairobi-based professional says she initially bought a Rose vibrator after repeatedly encountering discussions about it online.

“It gave me privacy and control. Nobody needs to know about it. I don’t have to depend on anyone else and I don’t have to put myself in situations I am uncomfortable with.”

What began as curiosity gradually became part of her personal routine.

“It is discreet and easy to use. For me, it is not something shameful. It is simply a personal choice.”

Her story reflects a broader trend among young urban professionals who increasingly view sexual wellness products as tools for personal wellbeing rather than taboo objects.

Retailers report that women in their twenties and thirties form a significant portion of their customer base. Many are financially independent and comfortable spending on products they consider part of self-care.

Online conversations suggest some users compare sexual wellness products to other personal wellness purchases such as gym memberships, skincare products or meditation apps. While experts caution against oversimplifying the benefits, they acknowledge that sexual pleasure can trigger physiological responses associated with relaxation and improved mood.

Relationship therapist and online safety coach Eve Kasina says attitudes toward sexuality are evolving, particularly among younger Kenyans.

“Many young adults are increasingly viewing sexual wellness as part of overall health and relationship satisfaction,” she explains. “Social media, podcasts and online communities have exposed people to global conversations around pleasure, consent and communication. There is less stigma around discussing these issues than there was a generation ago.”

Kasina notes that changing relationship patterns have also contributed to growing demand.

“We are seeing delayed marriages, long-distance relationships and more people meeting online. Some couples use sexual wellness products to maintain intimacy and improve communication about their needs.”

For James, a father of two who works outside Kenya, such products became an unexpected lifeline.

Living hundreds of kilometres away from his wife presented challenges neither had anticipated when he accepted employment abroad.

“The distance was difficult,” he recalls. “We would talk every day, but there were moments when loneliness became overwhelming.”

After experiencing challenges that nearly strained his marriage, James says he turned to a male masturbator following advice from a healthcare professional.

At first, his wife was sceptical.

“She thought it meant something was wrong between us. Eventually, she understood it was helping us manage the distance, not replace our relationship.”

Today, the couple use technology, video calls and sexual wellness products to maintain intimacy while living apart.

“Almost every night we connect virtually. It helps us feel close despite the distance,” he says.

His wife later purchased her own devices, allowing the couple to navigate long periods of separation while preserving their emotional connection.

Relationship experts say such arrangements are becoming increasingly common. Long-distance couples are among the fastest-growing customer groups for adult wellness products, particularly as more Kenyans pursue employment opportunities abroad or in distant regions.

Among male consumers, masturbation sleeves and strokers have become particularly popular. These products are designed to simulate sexual sensations and are marketed as private alternatives for solo use.

James says proper hygiene is essential.

“These products should always be cleaned thoroughly after use and stored properly. Like any personal item, cleanliness matters.”

But sex toys represent only one side of Kenya’s rapidly expanding pleasure economy.

The same technological revolution that has transformed access to adult wellness products has also fuelled the rise of online adult-content creators.

A smartphone, ring light, Internet connection and a private room are increasingly all that is needed to launch a digital adult-content business.

Across social media platforms, a growing number of X-rated Kenyan content creators are finding audiences willing to pay for exclusive content. Subscription services, private livestreams, premium messaging groups and direct payment platforms have opened new income streams for people willing to monetise intimate content.

Unlike traditional adult entertainment industries that relied on producers, studios and distribution networks, today’s creators can operate independently. They control production, marketing and customer engagement while keeping a larger share of earnings.

For some, the appeal is financial.

With unemployment and the rising cost of living continuing to challenge many young Kenyans, the creator economy offers opportunities that traditional employment sometimes cannot.

A creator based in Nairobi, who requested anonymity, says digital platforms have transformed earning opportunities.

“You can make money from people you have never met and who may not even be in Kenya. The audience is global.”

According to industry observers, some creators rely on subscription-based platforms while others use encrypted messaging applications to distribute premium content directly to customers.

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The rise of mobile money and digital payment solutions has made transactions easier and more discreet.

Social media has become the industry’s primary marketing tool.

Platforms such as X frequently host discussions around adult content, with certain slang terms becoming synonymous with viral explicit material. Hashtags, coded language and private links often direct interested users toward paid content.

The word “chudai,” a slang reference to sexual intercourse, has become one of the most recognisable online labels associated with sexually explicit material in Kenya’s digital culture.

Supporters argue that adult content creation represents a form of entrepreneurship and personal autonomy. Critics, however, raise concerns about exploitation, privacy, cyberbullying, consent and the long-term consequences of sharing intimate content online.

Affordable Internet

The debate becomes even more complex when technology enters the equation.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the global adult industry through synthetic content, virtual companions and hyper-realistic digital experiences. While Kenya has yet to embrace advanced sex robots on a large scale, international manufacturers continue to market increasingly sophisticated products.

Hyper-realistic dolls and female sex robots remain rare locally due to their high cost, often exceeding Sh250,000. Most Kenyan retailers focus instead on vibrators, masturbation sleeves and other more affordable products.

Nevertheless, experts believe technological innovation will continue shaping the future of intimacy.

Exposure to sexually explicit content is also occurring at increasingly younger ages. Studies conducted by research organisations, including TIFA and Daystar University, indicate that many teenagers have encountered pornographic material online.

Increased smartphone ownership, affordable Internet access and widespread social media use have made explicit content easier to access than ever before.