Joe Muriuki was the first man to go public about his HIV status in Kenya after getting infected in 1984 when the first HIV case was reported in the country.
In 1987,Mr Muriuki got ill and decided to visit a nearby hospital, but life took a new twist when the doctor told him rudely that he had months to live due to his HIV status-he was HIV positive.
When he broke the news to his family members, everyone ran for their dear lives, leaving Mr.Muriuki to fend for himself as he waited for the day God could call him.
Muriuki, who is now pursuing PhD at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) ,decided to live positively despite the stigma. He explains that not even his parent was ready to see him because the information in public domain painted different picture about the disease.
At one time, Muriuki wanted to visit USA and he sought to get a VISA from emigration department. But the officers denied him theย VISA, indicating that his condition could not allow him to visit their country.
Back to 1987, Muriuki was an accountant at the then Nairobi City Council (NCC). A slight illness put him down and after examination, his personal doctor expressed misgivings about his health condition. โI remember the doctor in his clinic standing up, walking to the window where he stared out for a couple of minutes before he looked like he was sweating,โ recalls Muriuki. โFor a moment I thought he was mad. I asked him what the matter was and he again stared at me looking confused.โ Then he dropped the bombshell: โMuriuki, you could be HIV positive, and you are the first victim I have come across with the virus.โ
Muriuki fainted for a while before he recovered. But his life changed completely and he started appreciating his body despite stigma from relatives and acquaintances.
The old man now is alive and has seen millions of people die from other diseases while God has granted him more than 30 years to live.
