A Kenyan truck driver working in Saudi Arabia has urged men living and working abroad to prioritise HIV testing with their spouses before resuming intimacy after returning home, following his own heartbreaking experience of testing positive for the virus.
According to him, he travelled home on vacation to spend time with his wife and child before returning to Saudi Arabia. However, during a routine medical examination required by his employer, he was informed that he had tested positive for HIV.
“I left my wife and child at home and I have been taking care of them. I returned recently and all was well. So when I went back to work after vacation, they did the usual medical tests and found me with HIV and I was asked to go back home,” he said.
The diagnosis reportedly led to the immediate termination of his employment, forcing him to return to Kenya.
“Life as a truck driver is hard; now my wife brought this disease to us, my contract was terminated, I am back home, my life has been spoiled,” he added.
Using his experience as a lesson for others, the truck driver urged men working in the Gulf and other countries to encourage their spouses to undergo HIV testing before resuming intimacy after reunions.
“Please tell those who are in the Gulf to take care of themselves when they return home and have their spouses tested for HIV because you will be struggling to provide for your family back home and return to catch diseases.
“Go to VCT to avoid the problem like mine,” he advised.
His story has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many calling for regular HIV testing, mutual trust and open communication between couples, while others urged caution against drawing conclusions about the source of an HIV infection without medical evidence.
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