Commercial sex workers in Nakuru have protested "harassment and brutal attacks" by security personnel and clients.
Under an umbrella body called Smart Ladies, they said more than 120 commercial sex workers were arrested last weekend within Nakuru's Central Business District (CBD).
Smart Ladies' chair Daisy Achieng' said at least 10 of the women were seriously injured during operations by county enforcement officers and the police.
“County enforcement officers have become ruthless to sex workers; they attack and injure them for no reason,” said Ms Achieng'.
Those arrested were accused of loitering in the streets, a claim Achieng' dismissed.
Achieng' said anyone with a complaint against commercial sex workers should raise them with the right authorities for action instead of harming them.
There are about 800 sex workers operating within Nakuru's CBD, 5,000 within Nakuru town and about 15,000 in the county.
“I do not dispute that some women are rude and mistreat their clients, but such should be handled at the individually instead of victimising everyone," said Achieng'.
At least four sex workers were in April attacked and injured by members of the Nyumba Kumi community policing initiative, who accused them of indulging in immorality.
Other areas where a number of women have been harmed are Pipeline and Kikopey. Several cases of sex workers being killed by unknown assailants have also been reported.
County enforcement officer Gennson Sifuna admitted that a number of sex workers were arrested at the weekend after complaints that they were a nuisance on streets but denied that he ordered the arrest.
Nakuru East sub-county police boss Elena Kabukuru said investigations into the complaints had been launched.
