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Friday 4 February 2011

MINISTERIAL INSENSITIVITY: ESTHER MURUGI TOYING WITH IDEA OF 'ISOLATING' THE HIV INFECTED.

Kenya's Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi insists the media misrepresented her remarks about how Cuba went about locking up those who have contracted HIV. But the seeds of stigmatization have been re-planted, whether or not she appeared to have advocated for an isolation policy.

Her past instances of what some say amounts to reckless utterances notwithstanding, I'm still convinced Kenyan media did not quote Madam Murugi out of context.

She indeed went about talking about how Cuba's HIV/Aids policy entailed removing those infected with HIV from mainstream society and supposedly how this had kept infection rates at bay. Yes, it is true she said, 'I don't know whether we should be that drastic...'





But on being booed by fellow parliamentarians she was addressing, her seemingly cheeky and annoying refrain: '...but sometimes I think that is what we should do...,' is what nails her. The accompanying giggling is especially distasteful and clearly insensitive to the plight of those living with HIV.

I therefore find Madam Murugi's claims of being misquoted un-amusing and an insult to the intelligence of those who happened to have heard her or those with access to her disturbing remarks.

Unlike in the written word of the print media, where arguments of being quoted out of context can thrive, what is naturally captured audio/visually speaks for itself, unless the sequence is altered digitally.




So when Madam Murugi in the same speech continues to say that, '...Men should not have sex with men and... women I don't know about that....,' one can hardly be blamed for concluding she believes lesbianism is fine but homosexuality should not be tolerated.

Give us a break Special Programmes minister and for your so-called apology to resonate with Kenyans, especially those living with HIV, sincerity and remorse should be the key ingredients, not whether or not you were misquoted because either way, the great damage caused needs to be undone.

10 comments:

McSanto Jatelo said...

I think Murugi was under influence of something when she uttered those some how sad words.

Anonymous said...

No wonder she fits into the docket "special programmes.

Anonymous said...

Any human being has his/her own weakness, maybe she uttered those words unknowingly.I think she should do something abt it.

Anonymous said...

it could be she meant that but realised its not good when the mess had already been done. No need to play innocent.

Anonymous said...

Murugi, style up!! You cannot give a QUALIFIED APOLOGY! ati ur sorry but the media mis-quoted you! kama ni apology ni apology, bas!

Anonymous said...

SHE SIMPLY DID NOT THINK BEFORE SPEAKING, PERIOD! AND ONE THING FOR SURE, SHE WAS NOT MISQUOTED!

Anonymous said...

i think the minister has a tendenancy of saying things without thnking them through the other day she said she approves homosexuality,and then in parliament she said that the government was doing everything to ensure that only minimum lives were lost due to drought and then she decides to add salt to injury by discriminating the PLWH doesnt she know that you can also get HIV through blood transfusion and other ways.She should choose her words carefully.

Anonymous said...

Who listened to her(Murugi) words during KKK birth rally in Eldoret" She said as usual with cheeky grin" Ruto huwa ananiambia yeye ni mwanaume so am eagerly looking for the big secret which makes William Ruto be mwanaume kamili. I think Murugi is out for yet another Ututhoism. Mr Gachiri and likes be cautious as she might Kuruga (cook) another time-bomb.

Unknown said...

Murugi like many kenyan politicians has exhibited her ignorance.If she knew better or rather she was well informed she would have made an informed statement..bure kabisa

THE PREACHER'S SON said...

She has a loose tongue and she could have uttered those sensitive words subconsiously.