PH
An 18-year old girl whose poem on HIV/Aids moved First Lady Margaret Kenyatta last Thursday in Busia has passed on.
Francisca Achieng who was living with the virus died on Tuesday morning at Murumba Sub County hospital where she was rushed after she fell ill at their Sikarira village home in Butula Sub County.
REEP Director Mary Makokha said Achieng developed headache on Monday and sought treatment at Murumba sub County hospital where she was treated and discharged.
Makokha said Achieng’s condition worsened on Monday night when she started vomiting. She was returned to hospital where she succumbed to the ailment on Tuesday morning.
The news of Achieng’s death has shocked the First Lady.
“I send my condolences to the family of Achieng whose message of hope on HIV/Aids moved me. It is unfortunate the cruel hand of death has robbed the country of our brilliant Aids ambassador,” a message sent through Busia County First Lady Judy Ojaamong said.
Judy said Achieng who was living positively with the scourge had accepted her status and was using various forums to encourage other youths not to shy away from declaring their status in public.
Her message through the poem left hundreds of people who had attended the handing over of the 42nd Beyond Zero Mobile Clinic to Busia County by the First Lady moved to the borne.
Achieng in her narration of the poem said she never loved or welcomed Mr HIV in her life but he penetrated it.
“I still carry you around to church, Nairobi and back. I carry you upstairs and down. We share ugali and ingokho but you continue eating me slowly although I hate you with passion. My grave is your grave, my burial is also yours. Take time to eat me. Live in my blood comfortably but Tueshimiane Mr HIV na Tuishi mpaka washangae (Let’s respect one another until they become perplexed),” read her poem.
