Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

Data is presented on 1352 young people from all over Kenya and East Africa concerning their sexual behaviours and attitudes towards sex. 49% of the male respondents have had sexual intercourse before they reach the age of 15 years in contrast to of the females who have sex before this age. Only 10% of the males has had no sexual intercourse by the time they reach 20 years in contrast to 38% of the females who claim to have had no sex. 69% of our male respondents and 88% of the female have their first sexual intercourse with someone much older than them. After presenting various data the paper concludes by calling the adult society to show a more genuine concern for the youth and advocate some lines of approach.