Haluwa’s gospel to women: ‘Good sex is hard to come by, so make money from men’
To Kenyan author Sarah Haluwa, every woman should get at least one orgasm in her lifetime.
After her 2023 book Sinners came out, focusing on heavy themes of sex and relationships, Haluwa has received massive recognition and reprehension in equal measure. The latter is because it is a book about sex, worse still by a woman.
Born in Kilifi County, Haluwa is a nutritionist and an award-winning author of six children's books. One of them, Chadi’s Trip, landed her the 2021 Jomo Kenyatta Literary Prize in the English Children’s category. Sinners is her first self-published adult book as she steps into the adult literary space. She is however not new to backlash, as she talks about controversial issues on sex on her Facebook page which boasts thousands of followers. In fact, that is how she rose to writing.
“I used to have a Facebook account, but it was not active. Then one day I did a post, just a small story about something funny that had happened. Then it went viral!” She explained.
Thousands shared her story and as fate would have it, thanks to the gods of social media, she obtained an opportunity to write for the mainstream media. An editor from the Nairobian, Ted Malanda, approached her and gave her a column she dubbed, “Fireworks.”
Everyone has sex
It is unusual for women to talk boldly about sex, let alone write about it. Haluwa explained that her motivation to write her book and continue to post on Facebook is so that people can share their experiences and learn from one another. Despite Kenya being deemed a “conservative” society, Haluwa thinks this is only superficial, citing the drama and crimes that inundate us through the mass media.
“Everyone who is of age has sex. So, people should talk about these things openly. We should have these conversations,” she emphasised.
Issues of sex and gender have occupied Kenyan airwaves from time immemorial but remain uncomfortable waters to dive into, especially from a woman’s perspective. The Bi Msafwaris’, Benjamin Zulus, and Andrew Kibes of TV and the Internet haven't missed a beat to tell women their role in relationships; have never failed to remind women that they are for the pleasure of their men; and that they better behave lest they are written off as not “wife-material.”
“I have been asked who will marry me now that I talk openly about sex. However, my vocalness on these pertinent issues hasn’t deterred me from dating as I interact with open-minded people.”
Sexual awareness for women is a matter that has divided many Kenyans on social media spaces. The topic evokes bitter reactions from both men and women to the extent that when a girl turns up dead somewhere, comments of, “Girls, learn how to close your legs” will be awash.
If that weren’t the case, we would silence the mouths of the people who swear that femicide is a result of “loose” women. Girls and women wouldn’t be shamed for desiring pleasure.
“You know, women are brought up being indoctrinated that sex is bad. Nothing but bad. So, at the end of the day women do it as an obligation to their husbands and to get kids, not really for pleasure,” she explained.
Sex in Nairobi
Sinners was initially supposed to go by the title SIN, an acronym for Sex in Nairobi, and was to feature only one character; a socialite from Nairobi. She later decided that it would be too much action for one character and settled for 10 characters who bring the Nairobi dating scene to life. These are women from all walks of life across all ages working to keep their money or relationships afloat. Being a stern believer in “no romance without finance”, Haluwa encourages women to at least “benefit” from their relationships cum situationships. “I think women should benefit from sex because 90 per cent of the chances are that you won’t get an orgasm. So what are you there for?”
Haluwa revealed that it took her close to six months to get her book ready. Her research typically involves friends, emails from her “Fireworks” fans, and sometimes even putting herself out there to get first-hand experience. “You can’t write what you don’t know. How can I explain the nuances of relationships if I haven’t been ‘kwa ground’ myself?”
The idea of sex and relationships, even from a religious perspective, is heavily male-centric. Haluwa understands that this niche is a hard one, especially as a woman in “conservative” environments where sex is taboo and the notion that women exist for pleasure and service to men persists. Her voice in this book and this genre is as refreshing as it is modern.
On days when she is not writing, Haluwa enjoys being indoors, crowing herself an introvert socially but loud and extroverted through her pen, posts, and books.
Haluwa is currently working on the second volume of Sinners, where we will continue to read the stories of Nairobi women and their sneaky affairs. We are all here for it—at least I am!
Tracy Ochieng is a staff writer with Books in Africa. Email: tracy.ochieng@ekitabu.com
Haluwa’s gospel to women: ‘Good sex is hard to come by, so make money from men’
To Kenyan author Sarah Haluwa, every woman should get at least one orgasm in her lifetime.
After her 2023 book Sinners came out, focusing on heavy themes of sex and relationships, Haluwa has received massive recognition and reprehension in equal measure. The latter is because it is a book about sex, worse still by a woman.
Born in Kilifi County, Haluwa is a nutritionist and an award-winning author of six children's books. One of them, Chadi’s Trip, landed her the 2021 Jomo Kenyatta Literary Prize in the English Children’s category. Sinners is her first self-published adult book as she steps into the adult literary space. She is however not new to backlash, as she talks about controversial issues on sex on her Facebook page which boasts thousands of followers. In fact, that is how she rose to writing.
“I used to have a Facebook account, but it was not active. Then one day I did a post, just a small story about something funny that had happened. Then it went viral!” She explained.
Thousands shared her story and as fate would have it, thanks to the gods of social media, she obtained an opportunity to write for the mainstream media. An editor from the Nairobian, Ted Malanda, approached her and gave her a column she dubbed, “Fireworks.”
Everyone has sex
It is unusual for women to talk boldly about sex, let alone write about it. Haluwa explained that her motivation to write her book and continue to post on Facebook is so that people can share their experiences and learn from one another. Despite Kenya being deemed a “conservative” society, Haluwa thinks this is only superficial, citing the drama and crimes that inundate us through the mass media.
“Everyone who is of age has sex. So, people should talk about these things openly. We should have these conversations,” she emphasised.
Issues of sex and gender have occupied Kenyan airwaves from time immemorial but remain uncomfortable waters to dive into, especially from a woman’s perspective. The Bi Msafwaris’, Benjamin Zulus, and Andrew Kibes of TV and the Internet haven't missed a beat to tell women their role in relationships; have never failed to remind women that they are for the pleasure of their men; and that they better behave lest they are written off as not “wife-material.”
“I have been asked who will marry me now that I talk openly about sex. However, my vocalness on these pertinent issues hasn’t deterred me from dating as I interact with open-minded people.”
Sexual awareness for women is a matter that has divided many Kenyans on social media spaces. The topic evokes bitter reactions from both men and women to the extent that when a girl turns up dead somewhere, comments of, “Girls, learn how to close your legs” will be awash.
If that weren’t the case, we would silence the mouths of the people who swear that femicide is a result of “loose” women. Girls and women wouldn’t be shamed for desiring pleasure.
“You know, women are brought up being indoctrinated that sex is bad. Nothing but bad. So, at the end of the day women do it as an obligation to their husbands and to get kids, not really for pleasure,” she explained.
Sex in Nairobi
Sinners was initially supposed to go by the title SIN, an acronym for Sex in Nairobi, and was to feature only one character; a socialite from Nairobi. She later decided that it would be too much action for one character and settled for 10 characters who bring the Nairobi dating scene to life. These are women from all walks of life across all ages working to keep their money or relationships afloat. Being a stern believer in “no romance without finance”, Haluwa encourages women to at least “benefit” from their relationships cum situationships. “I think women should benefit from sex because 90 per cent of the chances are that you won’t get an orgasm. So what are you there for?”
Haluwa revealed that it took her close to six months to get her book ready. Her research typically involves friends, emails from her “Fireworks” fans, and sometimes even putting herself out there to get first-hand experience. “You can’t write what you don’t know. How can I explain the nuances of relationships if I haven’t been ‘kwa ground’ myself?”
The idea of sex and relationships, even from a religious perspective, is heavily male-centric. Haluwa understands that this niche is a hard one, especially as a woman in “conservative” environments where sex is taboo and the notion that women exist for pleasure and service to men persists. Her voice in this book and this genre is as refreshing as it is modern.
On days when she is not writing, Haluwa enjoys being indoors, crowing herself an introvert socially but loud and extroverted through her pen, posts, and books.
Haluwa is currently working on the second volume of Sinners, where we will continue to read the stories of Nairobi women and their sneaky affairs. We are all here for it—at least I am!
Tracy Ochieng is a staff writer with Books in Africa. Email: tracy.ochieng@ekitabu.com
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