World AIDs Day Statement

Every year, on this date, we are called to remember the world-wide challenge that HIV AIDs poses to humanity. We are called to re-evaluate our approaches to this issue, to report our progress in curbing new infections and helping those who are infected to live with the reality of this disease. We are called to look at past statistics, collect new data, think about the implications of the information we receive; create progress reports and maps to help us move forward. All this is necessary. All this is helpful. Yet there are times when these analytical and numerical approaches create numbness within us. It is the media who we must challenge to increase the frequency of stories that touch our souls and that demand of us to get into action. It is the policy maker who must change their approach from merely treating HIV/AIDs, to developing an attitude that aims at stopping the disease, we must invest in research, experiments and development of solutions. I dare say, with the right investment, the right support, a faith that believes in action, our Doctors, our medical researchers, can lead the World towards gaining new ground in the management, prevention and treatment of this Disease. There are times when we forget that the issue of AIDs affects real lives. The tragedy of AIDs is not one that is best seen through the lens of figures and statistics, it is one that is best realized through the eyes and lives of victims. We all know that AIDs, is not just a disease. While it ravages bodies, it also undermines dreams, strains relationships, brings bereavement to families, cripples societies and encumbers nations. Therefore, as we consider the issue of HIV AIDs, as we consider how to do what we have set out to do: how to lower the number of infections and remove the stigma associated with this disease so that all people are unafraid of getting tested, how to ensure that no more lives are lost at the hands of the AIDs pandemic, and attempt to provide the kind of medication needed to those who are suffering, we must remember why we are doing all this as well. We must reflect on the child who, through no fault of their own, finds themselves orphaned and living with AIDs; having to deal with a society that may dismiss, disregard or disrespect them. We must think about those who are living with AIDs and unable to afford the medications that can help them live longer, fuller lives. We must think about the young people who are contracting this disease through drugs abuse and use of unclean syringes. We must think about the man and woman who still live in fear that their HIV status means they will never have healthy children of their own. Even as we celebrate the success that we have experienced thus far: we must

also remember that it is not over. That is the essence of the getting to zero campaign. Until the numbers reach zero, we must continue to march on, continue to revolt against the oppressive tyranny of AIDs, continue to help those who are living with AIDs all the while maintaining that we are doing this for our nation, for our societies, for our children, for our peers, for our relatives, for our friends and for ourselves. As we continue striving for zero, we cannot afford to become lax. We must invest in the Nutrition of our brothers and sisters who are already infected; they are on drugs, whose effect can only be completed by eating the right food. The Civil Society and the Religious family must sit and determine how together with other Kenyans, we can help those already infected and on drugs eat the right food, The emphasis on Nutrition must be underlined and action taken. It is inexcusable, that people continue dying despite being on medication, just because they have no access to the right Nutrition. We cannot afford to think about AIDs, or the root causes of AIDs, casually because it doesnt treat people casually- it treats human beings with contempt. We also, cannot afford to keep silent. We cannot afford to let AIDs have the upper hand: silently tearing at the seams of our society. Even as we remember the reality of AIDs we must be willing to openly and candidly discuss the causes and implications of AIDs as well as the disease itself. We must, individually, and collectively make the decision that we will be real about AIDs in order to effectively tackle it.

Uhuru Kenyatta,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance