Athi River MCA Michael Mutua has urged Machakos residents to shun myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/Aids.
Addressing this reporter in Athi River Town on Monday, Mutua said the misconceptions were drawn from the health sector.
"A lot has changed in the health sector since HIV/Aids was discovered. HIV/Aids is no longer a killer disease," said Mutua.
Mutua said the residents need to reject unnecessary myths and misconceptions, adding that people from the Kamba community believe that if one is infected with the virus, it means they will die soon.
"Let us unite in fighting stigma and discrimination, as all of us are either infected or affected," said Mutua.
Mutua said such beliefs were outdated adding that people need to change with technology and time.
He however castigated certain individuals living with the virus in the region who had hatched the slogan 'Najivunia kuwa na virusi'.
Mutua said people living with the virus in the region need to be recognised as HIV/Aids survivors and not people living with HIV/Aids.
"If we really want to fight this disease, we must find better ways of fighting it. We must address the disease itself, stigma and discrimination alongside drug adherence," said Mutua.