Pressure by women to perform between the sheets coupled with the desire to keep their partners from seeking sexual pleasures elsewhere has driven many young men to desperate measures.
By Peter Oduor
George Waweru (not his real name), a matatu driver was recently flagged down by a traffic policeman and asked for his driving licence. In the process of getting his licence from his pocket a blue sachet fell out.
The policeman and the middle-aged woman seated next to Waweru exchanged amused glances.
They both knew an aphrodisiac when they saw one, thanks to the multitude of adverts that ran every day in the media.
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The policeman, who seemed more amused by the sight of the sachet, soon forgot about the driving licence.
Booming business
"Mzee nguvu ya hii maneno ni lazima (Man, the energy for bedroom matters is a must)," he said in an amused tone. Meanwhile Waweru, more embarrassed than annoyed, tried all he could to end the exchange before it attracted further attention.
Welcome to the new reality of sexual vitality drugs, which have hit the market in a big way. Those selling them are no doubt smiling all the way to the bank as men struggle to acquit themselves honourably in the bedroom.
So common have these drugs become that many pharmacies in Nairobi stocks at least three or four varieties.
While some have been on the market for a while, many others promising even better results are being churned out at a remarkable rate.
Young clients
What is different is that unlike a decade ago when Viagra and Cialis came on the market, the people making a beeline for pharmacy counters today are relatively young men who should be at the peak of their sexual prowess.
A pharmacist in the Central Business District who only identified himself as Nixon says many of his customers are young men in their 20s.
"It is relatively young men who shouldn’t really be having any erectile dysfunction coming for them," he explains.
Nixon explains that in the days of Viagra and Cialis, older men and those approaching the mid-life crisis stage were the big users. Back then the drugs were expensive and beyond the reach of the common man.
Today the drugs come cheap and with as little as Sh50, one can arm himself with one kind or the other. That no medical prescription is ever needed means that anyone can access them.
Those selling the drugs reveal that as with condoms, the purchases pick up towards the weekend.
There was a time when drugs to restore sexual vitality were the preserve of the elderly. Now there is a wider variety to choose from — and the consumers are the young and healthy. |
PERFORMANCE
While many shop owners in the CBD were not willing to divulge information regarding their clients, discreet inquiries have revealed that young men are the most frequent buyers.
In the estates even school going children are able to purchase them from shopkeepers.
The big question remains why people who should be biologically fit turn to vitality drugs.
According to Joseph Otieno, a resident of Kibera, the urge to ‘stand out’ is the main driving force. "If others can go for five minutes, you want to be able to last 10," he says.
He blames it on films from the West that depict virile-looking men as the ‘real men’ who are always chased after by women.
Others use the drugs to achieve the ever-elusive extra thrill in the bedroom. Joe Akim, a 27-year-old local artist, admits to using the drugs occasionally. He does not have problems in the bedroom but normally wants to deliver the best.
"I have used them in the recent past and they can give you reassuring performance and thankfully, they are available and cheap," he says.
Asked why he uses them when he does not have problems regarding his sexual performance, he has an intriguing answer.
TOUGH JOBS
"Nowadays you must give a good performance because women are demanding satisfaction beyond the ordinary, which one cannot deliver without a little boost."
A number of the users blame the nature of their jobs for their lacklustre performance in the bedroom. Those who engage in energy sapping jobs like the construction, plumbing and mkokoteni pushing are often left without much energy at the end of the day to satisfy their women.
Many therefore opt to use vitality drugs to avoid the risk of their women seeking satisfaction elsewhere.
Elijah Mogaka, a 26-year-old construction worker, is no stranger to the drugs.
"I use them and they have done wonders for me. My kind of job uses up a lot of energy. Many of my friends who are aware of the drugs are also using them with very good results," says Elijah.
Men who chew miraa (khat), smoke bhang or use other drugs end up losing their manly strength.
Many use the drugs to restore their vitality. Those who drink too much alcohol also may require a boost from the new drugs. They make them regain their zeal and confidence when they go into the bedroom. Many have revealed on condition of anonymity that they had lost significant authority in the bedroom before they discovered the drugs.
Men who cannot rise to the occasion are often the butt of jokes from women. "In this age when women openly chastise men who cannot perform in the bedroom, one must seek help elsewhere if necessary," says Joseph Otieno.
UNBRIDLED PASSION
The sale of the vitality drugs and others promising penile enlargement have particularly become a booming business. A look at the classified section of the local newspapers can attest to this.
The odds are stacked against men who have to rise to the occasion and meet the challenge posed by the women whose libido seems to be on the rise.
According to the men we interviewed, the use of these drugs is intended to counter the rise of unbridled passion in an age of sexual liberation among women.
Nowadays women speak boldly about sexual performance by their partners. It is a topic that is boldly tackled in magazines, newspapers and FM stations.
Some people explain it is this pressure from women on men to perform that has driven men to such desperate measures. Women no longer shy away from saying they cannot stand a man who doesn’t know his way between the sheets.
Most of the users don’t even reveal the fact to their partners. They do it behind their backs and a good number of women could be living an awful lie. Martin Agura says he cannot stand the idea of his partner knowing that he uses drugs. It would be shameful if she found out.
SHORTCUTS
There are more factors that might explain this phenomenon. For instance, women are getting empowered financially and they are rediscovering their sexuality and cannot suppress their passions anymore.
Performance anxiety among young men and lack of confidence in the bedroom are another factor. This even explains why herbalists are cashing on the vulnerability of men.
Advertisements of such drugs and stamina products are often accompanied by pictures of men with well-toned bodies, muscular and with enviable masculinity.
This subconsciously has led men to believe that it is what women expect. Since attaining such a physique is not possible for many, they opt for shortcuts.
