Some few years ago, massage parlours in Nairobi were mostly in high-end hotels, but the business has recently gained popularity, attracting customers in drove.
It is a very profitable business, given the high demand for the gentle touches. Steve Collins Kariuki, who has been in this business recently, revealed he makes around Sh 40,000 per weekend.
At Villa Rosa Kempinski, Stella Muthoni, who is the Spa manager, revealed the Spa serves around 40 people a day. In addition, Lucy Imison of Jet Spa Kilimani says she does at least 100 spa treatments per month.
“Looking at the targets we had set, we have surpassed them all. We now do at least 100 spa treatments a month,” she says.
With the high demand, entrepreneurs have been investing in this business heavily and hiring professionals to ensure their guests get respite from the daily haste and bustle.
While you can make good money in a massage parlour, the business has its bad sides. This business is popular among middle and high-earners meaning you cannot start it in low-incomers areas unless you want to spend days without a single client.
Many masseuses have also been decrying the lack of regulation in the industry. Without regulation, the parlours are being used for mischievous and shameful activities.
Tales have been told of people who take advantage of the business to express their feelings.
According to Steve, who operates a massage parlour along TRM Drive in Roysambu, sometimes things ‘’get out of hand’’ and his clients ask for extras.
He said he stopped massaging men because they were very touchy and would ask for more. Steve, who recently attracted attention on social media for massaging women in their birthday suits, said he never falls into traps of his clients despite the temptations.
‘’I have never been intimate with my clients. I do not mix business with pleasure. Some tell me that I am cute and they can pay for more, but I do not agree to such arrangements,’’ he said in a recent interview with Radio Maisha.
Several massage parlours in Nairobi have been tagged for offering massage with ‘’happy endings’’. Even though not so much is publicly known, uptown Nairobi has become popular with such services.
The extras are served at an extra cost after agreements with the masseuse serving you.
According to Peter, who left the business after working for four years, there is no tempting business like this one. Some clients go ahead to take advantage of the naïve workers.
“After I had completed the massage, she said she loved everything about me and asked if we could do more. She offered me an extra Sh10,000 for me not to tell anyone. Being naïve, I fell for the offer, and I walked away with Sh10,000 on top of what I earned from my job.
‘’The most shocking ones are the married women, especially from rich families. Most of them are obviously sexually starved. They demand I sleep with them without protection.
When I tell them it’s not safe, they say, “Don’t worry, we have money to treat ourselves,” he said.
