What would you do if you were HIV positive? Celebrities speak out about the virus

As we mark the World Aids Day on Tuesday, the National Aids Control Council has been pushing the Maisha campaign as part of the Kenya Aids Strategic Framework, but what are the attitudes towards HIV and Aids? PULSE spoke to a cross section of celebrities to get their take on the scourge

Rufftone: Gospel artiste

Q: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

R: The biggest issue is stigmatisation. People sometimes judge those affected and those infected. I suppose we should show and give love to all. With proper care, one is able to cope well.

Q: Do you get tested for HIV regularly?

R: I have always made it a routine to do so. The last time I did was recently when I had my first baby.

Q: Suppose you tested positive?

R: I would come out publicly to enable me fight the stigma and make people believe that being positive is not the end of life but rather a change of lifestyle.

Q: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

R: It has always been difficult for female groupies to hit on me considering I am a man of principles. Besides I don’t allow myself to be swayed by any of the above.

Q: How do you help in sensitising the community on HIV and Aids?

R: I am championing for love and care for the infected and affected through my campaign aimed at fighting stigmatisation by various companies, employers and even churches – especially organisations that insist on testing people before they can employ them. This is not only inhumane but a breach of privacy.

Q: What is your advice to the youth?

R: The infected should accept their status, love themselves, eat healthy, exercise and have a sense of awareness besides putting their trust in God for healing. Avoid having multiple sex partners since it only worsens the situation. For the rest, regular tests, besides abstaining from sex is the secret to right living. The use of condom never works in most cases.

Jalang’o: Radio host and MC

Q: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

J: It is one thing that has robbed us economically and development wise. Back in Homa Bay, Siaya, where I come from three out of five children are orphaned by the scourge.

Q: Do you get tested for it regularly?

J: It’s not about getting tested regularly but rather being careful on how you go about your sexual life.

Q: Suppose you tested positive?

J: As much as it would be a shock on my part, I would strive to live positively and be an ambassador to others.

Q: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

J: Being careful is the key word. I often ask myself if a woman in question is swayed by my status as Jalang’o or loves me for who I am. For me, casual sex is a big no.

Q: As a role model to the youth how do you help in sensitising the community?

J: I use different platforms to discuss the scourge of which, I garner a huge audience. I also educate people from my community on HIV and Aids. Many believe that it is a curse.

Q: What is your advice to the youth?

J: To always use condoms...whenever they have sex.

Rabbit: Singer and artistes’ manager

Q: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

R: It is one thing that can change your whole life so you always need to play safe.

Q: Do you get tested regularly?

R: Yes I do get tested after every three months.

Q: Suppose you tested positive?

R: I would surround myself with positivity.

Q: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

R: I am a family man with principles when it comes to women. And as for drugs and alcohol I don’t do any.

Q: As a role model for the youth how do you help sensitising the community?

R: I use my Tubonge platform in conjunction with Population Services International (PSI) and the USAID to educate and work with youths from various universities and within the estates. For instance next month we will be having a free cancer screening for women.

 

Vanessa Chettle: Socialite and events hostess

P: Do you go for routine tests?

V: Definitely.

P: When was the last time you went for an HIV test?

V: Two months ago.

P: What would you do if you found out you had HIV?

V: It’s not the end of the world. I would be distraught and upset but I would carry on and fight it.

P: What do you think about multiple partners?

V: If you’re playing it safe then that’s your problem. In this day and age, it has become so normal but you need to remember you can never trust people enough.

Rapdamu: Singer

Q: Do you get tested regularly?

R: Being a family man I make it a routine to do so. The last time I underwent a test was last year. It’s all about being careful.

Q: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

R: At the end of the day it’s all about who you are and how you were brought up. Don’t let yourself be influenced by the world.

Mwalimu Rachel: Homeboyz Radio presenter

P: Do you go for HIV and Aids routine tests?

R: Not regularly but with the baby coming I had to.

P: What would you do if you found out you had HIV?

R: Before it gets to Aids you get the HIV virus and the symptoms should be there so you may do something. But if I was HIV+ I can’t predict how I would react.

Eric Omondi: Comedian

P: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

E: I’m happy with how we have managed to de-stigmatise it unlike it was 15 years ago. It was hell back then. If you had HIV, you were like an outcast.

P: Do you go for routine tests?

E: Yes I do.

P: When was the last time you went for a HIV test?

E: Last year, around November.

P: What would you do if you found out you had HIV?

E: I would live with it. Nowadays there are ARVs so it’s possible to manage it with a good lifestyle.

P: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

E: This should not be an excuse for one to mess up. You should handle life positively.

Tracy Muthoni: Teen Republik host

P: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

T: It is real so you have to be careful and take care of yourself.

P: Do you go for routine tests?

T: Yes. Everyone should.

P: When was the last time you went for a HIV test?

T: It’s been a while. It was early this year.

P: What would you do if you found out you had HIV?

T: I would just move on with life because we have ARVs. If you detect, early you can live a long healthy life. It’s not the end of the world like Magic Johnson has had it for so many years just as it has been the case with Charlie Sheen.

P: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

T: You have to control yourself and have discipline. Groupies are not genuine. They really don’t have your interest at heart especially after they get drunk and throw themselves at you. You have to be careful.

P: What do you think about multiple partners?

T: That’s crazy to be honest. If you have multiple partners, one-night stands and other sexual arrangements, the least you should do is use protection. Prevention is better than cure.

P: As a role model for the youth how do you help sensitising the community?

T: I was actually talking to someone the other day and our opinion was we need to do more. I talk to my cousins about it and how to be safe. As a community we need to do more.

P: What advice would you give young people living with HIV and those uninfected?

T: If you have it, it is not the end of the world. Don’t let your dreams go. God is good so trust in Him and live life to the fullest. Those without should be careful and take precaution.

Frasha:

P: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

F: It’s a disease like any other hence we should stop the stigma.

P: Do you get tested regularly?

F: Yes I do, but to be sincere this year I have only been tested once.

P: Suppose you tested positive?

F: I would move on with life and become Kenya’s version of Magic Johnson.

P: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

F: Personally I stopped drinking and I am currently advocating for responsible drinking and living. I think with a sober and focused mind irresponsibility is minimised.

Q: As a role model for the youth how do you help sensitising the community?

F: We did a song dubbed Uskonde as part of HIV and Aids sensitisation. Others platforms include visiting children orphaned as a result of HIV and Aids and talking openly about it.

Q: What is your advice to the youth on the same?

F: HIV is manageable. Eating healthy, exercising and taking your medication the right way is the secret to long life.

Khaligraph: Rapper

P: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

K: Aids is real and it’s out there. People have to be extremely careful. We as a country need a better strategy to combat the disease.

P: Do you go for routine tests?

K: Yes I try to ensure I go after every few months even though I am in a committed relationship. I also do it to motivate people around me to do it.

P: What would you do if you found out you had Aids?

K: It has never crossed my mind. But if it happened, God forbid, I would seek counselling from a professional then from there things would fall into place.

P: As a celebrity in an industry surrounded by sex, groupies, drugs and alcohol how do you handle yourself?

K: At the end of the day it’s about self-discipline. Personally, I don’t drink and smoke because it’s not my thing but even though I don’t do that it’s still easy to fall into sexual trials. Temptations are there but since I’m in a committed relationship I discipline and control myself.

P: What do you think about multiple partners?

K: I wouldn’t encourage it because it makes it easy to contract the disease. I don’t advocate for it.

P: As a role model for the youth how do you help sensitising the community?

K: I started a foundation called Baba Yao that seeks to educate the masses especially the youth on issues affecting them from drugs to HIV and Aids.

Wambui: Singer, Elani

P: What is your take on HIV and Aids?

W: It’s an epidemic but I’m glad there are ARVs and all. There was a time the world did serious campaigns on spreading the HIV message, which really helped and I think we need to get back there.

P: Do you go for routine tests?

W: Yes I do.

P: When was the last time you got tested?

W: This year. There’s more than one way to contract Aids and not just from sexual contact. Someone can make an honest mistake through blood transfusions or donations so you need to go regularly.

P: What advice would you give young people?

W: I would encourage those who have it that it’s not over. It’s a bumpy road but keep on moving. For those without, I would tell them to live life and strive for more than just being someone’s sexual partner.

Tasha: Singer and dancer

P: Do you get tested for HIV regularly?

T: Yes I do. But at the end of the day it is all about being careful. Life is what you make out of it.

P: Suppose you tested positive?

T: Nowadays it is common to contract the disease thus when you find out the best option is to live positively and eat healthy.