I was going to buy a school bag at the Githurai Market in Nairobi. I was attempting to quickly cross the busy road, but unfortunately there were too many buses alongside the road standing too close and there wasn’t enough space to go through. Then this man approached me and in Swahili told me to cross through the bus. I told him I was fine but instead he roughly held my hand and I became so scared. He wanted to drag me, I quickly struggled and when he saw people watching us he released my hand. I fled quickly looking behind watching if he was following me. I didn’t get to buy the bag that day.
Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?
I think if we have advocates for street safety that would really help. Also involving and making people aware that this is actually a problem and not dismiss it.
– Wamboi W
Location: Githurai, Nairobi, Kenya
Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.
