Uasin Gishu County chairlady of the Kenya Empowerment of Positive Teachers Mary Goreti has decried the stigmatisation of HIV positive teachers in the region.
Speaking during a forum for HIV+ teachers in Eldoret town on Saturday, Goreti said the rate of discrimination of teachers living HIV/Aids is on the rise.
She said 50 per cent of teachers living positively face stigmatisation at their place of work and homes, a move that has impacted on their performance.
"Teachers living positively face discrimination from their fellow teachers and parents thus affecting their performance," she said.
"I urge family members not to discriminate against those affected with the disease but instead embrace them as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters,"she said.
The Kenepote chairlady said all of society is affected by the disease in one way or the other and he/she won’t be happy if they are discriminated upon.
"I challenge teachers to go and conduct a HIV test to know their status so that they may start early treatment," she said.
She called upon those infected by the disease to be good citizens and avoid spreading it but instead take medication as directed by their physicians.