‘I am currently not working’ – Miss Katiwa opens up on being sexually harassed after BBC exposé

Radio and TV presenter Miss Katiwa was inspired to share her ordeal following a BBC documentary that exposed sex predators in Kericho tea farms.

The sex predators at Kericho tea farms were captured by secret cameras demanding sexual favours from women in return for jobs on the tea farms.

The BBC documentary sparked public uproar as Kenyans demand justice for the victims of sexual exploitation.

Miss Katiwa opened up about sexual harassment at work after the BBC documentary highlighted the predicament of casual labourers.

“Why are we behaving as if we’re shocked 🤔😳. Let’s stop for once and take responsibility. And am going to own mine because I have a responsibility to voice out what’s happening in our society, it’s even worse that no one is talking about it, what a shame, thank you Tom Odula and @bbcafrica for bringing this conversation, now let’s talk❗️.

“Am speaking as a victim but at the same time as an angry Kenyan. Am very disappointed with our justice system, because a lot of these cases have gone unnoticed, and to be honest, let’s not pretend that this is only happening at the tea farms, no sir❗️,, it’s happening everywhere, in the entertainment industry, hospitality industry, media etc and its even worse than you think..underline key word everywhere,” Miss Katiwa wrote in part on Instgram.

Miss Katiwa added that she has been a victim of sexual harassment multiple times.

“This is the story of my life, have lost a lot of jobs, deals and endorsements because of sexual exploitation. This has really toughened me to an extent whereby my confidence has been seen as “disrespect”, this is a big business for a lot of people and the women are the most affected ones, women are left with no choice because of how desperate they are trying to feed their families wanyonge hawana haki, men were built to give us protection, but this gender is now the most feared because they’ve now turned to predators, our women and daughters are not safe at all. Our working environments are not safe anymore.

“Just like another story, I hope this won’t just trend and pass, I have a lot to say but writing it down won’t be enough. Men please stop making it hard and difficult for us women, we want to feel protected, not used or exploited like slaves. We know what we can bring to the table, we’ve got the brains too, stop sexualizing everything,” she added.

In other posts on InstaStories, Miss Katiwa revealed that she is not currently working because of sexual harassment.

The media personality said that she was experiencing sexual harassment at the very moment she took to social media to talk about it.

“Am so mad, am extremely frustrated that I can’t even sleep or get out of the house because of this story, this has awakened the so much pain that I had buried for the longest time, it has added so much pain because it’s still happening to this moment as we speak, and am talking about now, it’s happening to men too.

“Am currently not working because a big part of this is still happening to me. Wtf!! Why do I have to open my legs to get a job? Where does it say in the Bible? But I choose to suffer in silence and I choose my dignity over that, being a woman in this country (world) is a marathon. Why though, why make me suffer or why do I have to beg for a job that I perfectly deserve,” Miss Katiwa wrote.

Miss Katiwa further wondered what other women are going through if a celeb like her is being subjected to sexual harassment.

“So you can only imagine, if that’s me, yes me, then how many women/men out here are suffering? Not everyone has the audacity/courage to open them legs, not everyone was built that way, we were built different. So stop saying “but y’all are used to that” just stop,” she added.

Work

In January 2022, Miss Katiwa resigned from Nation Media Group (NMG) where she worked for four years hosting a show dubbed Jamdown on NTV.

In a statement on January 31, 2022, she thanked her co-hosts, producers and viewers for the support they had given her during the time she worked there.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a major role in my path and my career. Kriss Darlin you’ve been a blessing, Mercy Maroma and Justus Tharao thank you for believing in me and trusting me with the show, you are such a blessing and one of my favourite bosses so far.

“Four years ago I got an opportunity to join NTV to host a show dubbed Jamrock, two years later it gave birth to Jamdown, and yesterday was my last show. Everything that has a beginning has an end too,” she stated.

Miss Katiwa left NTV to focus on her other job. She also worked as a presenter on Homeboyz Radio, hosting a late-night show alongside Demakufu and Wilson Muirani alias Jaymo Ule Msee.