Avoid hip pads, be original: Mosiria to ladies

Nairobi Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Care Geoffrey Mosiria/ HANDOUT

Nairobi Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Care Geoffrey Mosiria has urged women to stop wearing artificial body-shaping clothing.

These include hip pads, butt boosters and tummy binders. 

Mosoria urged this after visiting a clothing store where he spotted several of the products on display.

"Jameni, everything out here is fake these days! I’ve just realised today that men are no longer safe from what they admire," Mosoria said in a post on Saturday.

"You get excited thinking you’ve hit the jackpot, only to later discover the ‘assets’ were sponsored by extra layers, pads and creative engineering.”

Mosiria urged women to embrace their natural bodies and avoid shortcuts that may compromise their health and confidence. 

"Dear ladies, relax. At the end of the day, there will always be someone who loves, prefers and appreciates you exactly the way you are without upgrades, modified installations or software updates,” he said.

Hip pads, butt enhancers and padded shapewear are increasingly marketed as quick fixes to achieve a curvier silhouette.

Products sold locally and online include padded underwear and hip-enhancing shorts designed to make hips and buttocks appear bigger and fuller under clothes. 

These shapewear items can lift and shape curves instantly, but their effects disappear once removed. 

Experts warn that some body-shaping gadgets and tight trainers can have health risks if misused. 

According to Healthline, waist trainers and overly tight shapewear, for example, may squeeze internal organs, restrict breathing and lead to discomfort if worn for long periods. 

Prolonged compression can affect digestion, reduce lung capacity and weaken core muscles. 

A health specialist noted, “These gadgets may give a quick look, but they don’t provide real, lasting results".

"The pressure they put on your midsection can cause breathing issues and may interfere with your core strength.”

Mosiria echoed this view. He said many women feel pressured to alter their looks because of social media trends and unrealistic beauty standards. 

He encouraged healthy alternatives that support long-term well-being.

"If you are not okay with your body, hit the gym or eat healthy ie avocados and sweet bananas or consult the doctor on what to do," he advised. 

“Original is always premium!"

To maintain a fit and healthy body, experts recommend a balanced diet, regular exercise and strength training rather than relying on artificial enhancers. 

A mix of aerobic workouts and muscle-toning routines helps burn fat and build lean muscle. 

Eating whole foods, staying hydrated and getting enough rest are crucial parts of a healthy lifestyle.

Mosiria said confidence, self-esteem and self-acceptance matter more than temporary looks.

The county officer asked women to choose wellness over quick fixes and to value themselves beyond physical appearance.