Why isn’t any Kenyan celeb taking up this challenge?

Social media is the new power base. It has overthrown governments and prodded giant corporations to bend to the will of the consumer. And that is why many celebrities are using this tool to sell and leverage their brand.

When something newsy or juicy happens, celebs are quick to ride on its waves to stay relevant. When a picture of Uganda’s President Museveni seated by the roadside talking on phone surfaced, it went viral.

Kenyan celebs were quick to take up what has come to be called the “Museveni Challenge”. 

I expected the same celebs to do the same when Prince Harry was photographed taking a HIV test.

Who am I kidding? Duh! I did not expect our celebs to take up this lead ball. It is weightier and can kill one’s brand.

“It is amazing how quick it is,” the 31-year-old Harry said during his appointment at a London hospital. “So whether you’re a man, woman, gay, straight, black or white — even ginger — why wouldn’t you come and have a test?” 

Much bigger and relevant challenge

So why isn’t any Kenyan celeb taking up ‘the Prince Harry challenge’? And yet this is a much bigger challenge, which impacts the lives of millions of their followers.

Well, I am an old-school girl from Nyeri, and I do not understand some of these trending things. But what I understand is that until we have a cure or eradicate HIV, this darn virus will always be trending. In fact, it has been trending in my blood for the past 30 years. I understand where our celebs are coming from. A HIV test is not one of those things that you do live on Facebook, unless you are absolutely sure about the outcome. Why, it can backfire on your brand, and, depending on how you have been living your life, make the public label you a high risk individual, not to mention the people who will want to sue you and brands who will drop you like a hot potatoe. 

If a local celeb takes up ‘the Prince Harry challenge’ though, it will teach our young people about having the courage to take an HIV test. 

Ignorance will kill you

I am not praying for anyone to test HIV-positive, but in the unlikely event that this happens, it will make HIV-positive youths, who are living in the closet, know that they are not alone. They will know that they have kindred spirits. And they will seek medical and psycho-social support. 

We have a dream of eradicating HIV-infections by 2030. We can do this if we join hands with our famous faces, because they have millions of followers and can influence them.

There is still stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and there are still people who will not take HIV tests because they fear that a positive outcome is as good as a death knell.

“What I do not know will not kill me,” I have heard many argue, unaware they will perish because of lack of knowledge. When one tests HIV-positive, timely interventions will make them live healthier lives. I always say that you cannot treat what you do not know and acknowledge. I have witnessed with some who are battling HIV-related complications, but refuse treatment because they have not, and will not take a HIV test.

It is true: a HIV test changes one’s life, whether one tests positive or negative. And it changes it in the fact that you know what’s up. You are not living in ignorance. You know, for instance, how to protect yourself and your partner. Plus, you also know exactly what you are treating, which gives you a better shot at getting the treatment right. 

So, which Kenyan celeb is willing to call my bluff and take up the ‘Prince Harry challenge’? People, let’s do this and break the internet… and, most importantly, change the course of history.