Editor's Review

The Makueni governor sparked reactions after suggesting that HIV/AIDS is a way of life in Homa Bay.

Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga has welcomed the apology of Makueni's Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior after the latter's remarks.

On Friday, April 11, while seeing off the county team for games in Homa Bay, Mutula cautioned the team members against any form of debauchery in Nyanza County.

He seemed to suggest that HIV and AIDS have been adopted in Homa Bay as a way of life and that the natives no longer fear and hence expose danger to visitors.

Mutula asked the team representing Makueni in the games to be careful and shun any temptation that might lead them to mingle with the locals and ultimately contract the dreaded disease.

"Homa Bay is a beautiful county and island with many hotels and other beautiful things. I must say as a parent that Homa Bay is a good county, but the residents like pleasure. They have no problem with HIV/AIDS. There is no stigma, and it is a part of life. So I want you to be careful," Mutula said.

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His comments did not sit well with a section of Kenyans, which found them inappropriate.

Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior apologised to Homa Bay County after remarks on the state of HIV/AIDS in the county.

They accused the Makueni governor of wrongly implying that the lakeside county does not take any measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

He was forced to apologise, stating that his sentiments were misunderstood.

"I would like to clarify my remarks this morning when flagging off the Makueni sports team to the Kenya Youth Inter County Sports Association games in Homa Bay County. I had no intention of victimising or besmirching the people of Homa Bay. I was cautioning the youth. I realise that my words on HIV/AIDS in Homa Bay may have led to a misunderstanding. My apologies to my colleague, Hon. Gladys Wanga, and the people of Homa Bay for the misunderstanding," Mutula Junior said.

Reacting to the apology, Governor Wanga accepted it, taking the opportunity to welcome Kenyans to the county.

"Apology accepted, and welcome to the county of endless potential!" she said.

According to the statistics from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), the HIV prevalence in Homa Bay is nearly 4.5 times higher than that of the national level, which is capped at 26.0%.

According to the NSDCC, Homa Bay has contributed at least 15.1% and 14.0 % of the total new HIV infections in Kenya among children and adults, respectively.