My dream is to see a HIV-free Kenya

Prof Mary Getui is the chairperson of the National Aids Control Council (NACC), a Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS), the treasurer of the Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa (ATIEA), and a published author on matters to do with African culture, gender issues, religion and society. She spoke to KENAN MIRUKAI joined the National Aids Control Council in June 2009 through a presidential appointment, to replace my predecessor Prof Miriam Were.The appointment came as a surprise. I got a call from the council informing me of the appointment and I told the caller he had reached the wrong person. But I finally took up the appointment.Prof Mary GetuiThe council’s mandate is to provide policy and strategic framework for mobilising and coordinating resources for prevention of HIV transmission and provision of care and support to those infected and affected by Aids.Working at the council has been challenging but we have a strong team at the national secretariat and in the nine regions countrywide.The job involves a lot of travelling and balancing between my work as a lecturer at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA), my family and council matters is daunting.But God in his wisdom gave us enough time. You only need to manage it well. I don’t allow anything to stress me. We should learn to say no and ask others to respect our space.InfectionsHIV and Aids continues to affect our society in all ways –– health wise, socially, financially and spiritually. It is expensive to manage as a country and we mostly rely on donor funding, which we appreciate.There could be fewer infections in the country thanks to the work done by various organisations and the Government, but many are still affected and the implications remain the same.As a council, we hope to have a HIV-free society where there are no new infections and we have the ability to take care of the infected.We appreciate the enormous goodwill from the Government and other stakeholders in combating the scourge.OrphansA lot has gone on in sensitisation and encouraging Kenyans to know their status, which is important especially for couples.Field visits have been helpful in decision making and I have learnt that there is so much to celebrate in life –– like a new day, meeting new people and even new challenges.The main challenge is taking care of the orphans as our cultural networks are unable to cope with the rising numbers. Our society is not as close-knit as it was in the past.There is a lot of legislative change taking place in government about the council’s work but as a country, we should work towards lowering the infection rate and giving support to the infected and affected.It is an issue that requires collective effort and commitment both at policy and political level.In 2009, I was awarded the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) for outstanding and distinguished service in scholarship and community leadership and service.I have provided leadership at the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians locally and internationally. I was the African region coordinator for the association.I am also a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. I interact a lot with children and young people in church and in schools. Most times, I am invited to speak to people on HIV and Aids as well as on family issues.I have found fulfilment in my career as a teacherI am married with three children, two sons and a daughter. Whenever possible, I do gardening and I like to walk. My favourite music is gospel though I find a lot of value in cultural music.I like reading biographies and autobiographies to learn where the authors have come from and learn through their mistakes and what inspires them.I read widely and whenever I pick a book, it is hard to put it down until it is over. I have a penchant for children’s books, which I buy and read. You may wonder where I get the time to read the books. I read before sleeping and during long flights.Brazilian lyricist and novelist Paulo Coelho inspires me in his books though they sound philosophical. A friend recommended Coelho’s The Alchemist to me and I have since bought his other titles after being impressed with the first one.I was born in Thika where my father worked as a police officer but took my early education in Kisii. I went through good hands in school; growing up in the village was a fulfilling experience. Neighbours had a caring attitude, instilling discipline to all children collectively. The togetherness in our family taught me not to have specific heroes as I try to see a hero in every person.If careful, there is something you will learn from people in life. I appreciate that a lot of people from all cadres have contributed something positive to my life.My parents were quite motivational and they gave all of us opportunities to go to school and have a good education.For high school, I attended St Mary’s Nyabururu Girls High School and later Loreto Convent Limuru Girls High School for my A levels. Going through missionary schools allowed me to interact with nuns who provided security and motivation. Through them, I learnt that women have something to offer in a male dominated world.I joined Kenyatta University and graduated in 1983 as a teacher. Becoming a teacher was my childhood dream. It feels good teach somebody and see them go on to become great in society. I have found a lot of fulfilment from my career as a teacher and especially in the subject of Religion.It gives me joy interacting with my students and learning together through a course or a project.Immediately after graduating as a teacher, I benefited from Kenyatta University’s (KU) staff development scholarship to study for a Masters degree in Religion at the University of Nairobi. Before that, I had a brief stint as a teacher at Upper Hill Secondary School teaching Religion for two years.After graduating with my Masters, I returned to KU’s Department of Religion and enrolled for my Doctorate degree while working.There were opportunities to study out of the country but since my family was still young, I thought it was not right to move far away from them.My days at KU were fruitful as I rose through the academic ladder from a tutorial fellow to the rank of an associate professor.I served as head of department after completing my doctorate degree and was later promoted to the post of director at the Board of Undergraduate Studies and later served as dean at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

My dream is to see a HIV-free Kenya

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