Kenyan AIDS Advocates Celebrate World AIDS Day in Style
By Elizaphan Ogechi
Since 1988, Kenyans have marked the 1st of December by raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic, caused by the spread of HIV infection.
Memorial services, speeches, testimonies, dances, exhibitions and forums usually characterise the events of this day. In 2007, however, there was more than just speeches and exhibitions. Amid an unceasing morning drizzle, Kenyan AIDS advocates in Nairobi, braved the rains to commemorate the day in style.
Cameras began rolling when more than 200 AIDS advocates, on top of an open truck, circumnavigated Nairobi from Uhuru Park to Ngong Road, Dagoretti, Kawangware, Uthiru, Westlands and back to Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) where the main activities were held. The powerful sound system and large banners on the truck carried the message: “Take the Lead: Universal Access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support demands committed leadership. Leadership begins with you and me.”, and sought to influence the country’s leadership to ensure that commitments on universal access are fulfilled.
For the many who lined the route and received campaign messages, in the form of posters and brochures, the procession was a reminder to renew their own commitments to combating AIDS.
Standing on top of the truck, Allan Ragi, Executive Director of Kenya AIDS NGO Consortium (KANCO), called for personal commitment to reverse the challenges of the epidemic.
“Leadership should be demonstrated from villages right up to the international level. It is imperative that a clear understanding of the intricacies of prevention, treatment, care and support for the affected and infected is embraced at all levels. If awareness is carried out at a family level it will ignite change at national levels,” he said.
At the same time, Dr. Tobias Kichari, of United Civil Society Coalition on AIDS, TB and Malaria (UCC-ATM) called for committed leadership from the government to ensure that people living with HIV and AIDS have access to essential medicines and are provided with care and support.
Francis Muthaura, Head of Civil Services gave a key note speech at the KICC, and said that he appreciated Kenyan’s efforts in reversing the impact of AIDS. He called for all Kenyans to take the lead in knowing their HIV status and asked for committed leadership from both the private and public sector in the HIV and AIDS response.
For World AIDS Day 2007, the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) provided technical support to civil society for the Universal Access campaign in Kenya. Other lead partners in the campaign were: National AIDS Control Council (NACC), KANCO, Kenya Consortium to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (KECOFAMU), Network of People Living with AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK), Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers Union, I Choose Life Africa, among others.