By OSDP
Worth Noting:
- The clergy were warned about the emergence of new markets for drug traffickers, where the drug menace is no longer a preserve of the Coast region and penetrating the interior parts of Kenya including Tharaka Nithi where drugs like heroine were formerly unheard.
- Mulinge Mutua told the clergy the need for the faith community in Kenya to stand strong against stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
- “Let us speak openly about HIV/AIDS, sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), and drug addictions, even in the church. Those with HIV, should not be stopped from serving, because this is a disease, not a punishment or a curse,” said Rev Mulinge.
In efforts to reduce the number of those infected with HIV/AIDS, the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) has asked engaged couples to be truthful when undergoing premarital counselling.
Dr. Ruth Masha, the Executive Director of NSDCC (formerly National Aids Control Council) speaking in Tharaka Nithi said this was the only way to curb new infections, especially among children.
She spoke during a meeting of 1,000 religious leaders urging the clergy to join in the fight against the spread of HIV, saying that engaged couples speaking openly during counselling would make known their HIV/AIDS status protecting the other partner and also future children.
“And we need the clergy to give counselling to the public and reduce stigma against HIV/AIDS so people can speak openly during marital counselling and avoid siring children who are HIV positive,” said Dr Masha.
She also explained why the council adopted the name syndemic, saying HIV/AIDS would grow and incorporate those in addictions and mental health issues as people tried to cope with the disease.
She, however, said that the male gender had the highest number of infections as compared to the women because of having multiple sexual partners.
She also decried that men would most times inconsistently take the prescribed antiretroviral drugs resulting to emergence of other opportunistic diseases like tuberculosis.
The clergy were warned about the emergence of new markets for drug traffickers, where the drug menace is no longer a preserve of the Coast region and penetrating the interior parts of Kenya including Tharaka Nithi where drugs like heroine were formerly unheard.
Rev. Mulinge Mutua told the clergy the need for the faith community in Kenya to stand strong against stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
“Let us speak openly about HIV/AIDS, sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), and drug addictions, even in the church. Those with HIV, should not be stopped from serving, because this is a disease, not a punishment or a curse,” said Rev Mulinge.
He warned that when those infected are stigmatized, they are pushed into drugs and alcohol abuse. “Let us support those with HIV, and encourage them to live positively,” added Rev Mulinge.
The sensitization program was in line with the OSDP foundation of ‘Chaplaincy, Outreach and Family Values’ where Pastor Dorcas partners with the clergy from all religions to fight against addictions and also empower the vulnerable.
Pastor Dorcas who was also present made a rallying call to the clergy, urging them to open their places of worship to help the youth who were lost in addictions and also the widows, orphans and people with disabilities.
To crown the day, every clergy was given a tree seedling that they would plant in their home or locality to commemorate the day.
Throughout her two days working tour in Tharaka Nithi County, Pastor Dorcas led in the planting and distribution of 10,300 tree seedlings.
There were 8,000 tree seedlings planted by the Chuka University students, and members of the community after Pastor Dorcas ended a talk with the students. The other 1,000 tree seedlings were planted at the Chuka University in Kathwana where Pastor Dorcas visited and shared a meal with the inmates. She also distributed 1,300 tree seedlings to the clergy during the sensitization forum against HIV/AIDS, alcohol, drug, and substance abuse.
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