Kakamega Miners Take Bold Step to Test for HIV and STIs

Two plastic chairs and a table neatly arranged at a Salvation Army church near the mining site, just as miners picked up their tools for the day. But this time, it wasn’t the sound of metal striking rock. Instead, soft conversations and occasional nervous laughter came from a small crowd ready to take a bold step.

The crowd wasn’t there for gold, they had come for free HIV and STI testing, brought straight to their doorstep by the Rising to Greatness Organization under the Migodi ya Usawa Project.

For many in Kakamega’s mining communities, health concerns often take a back seat to the daily hustle for survival. Most miners wake up early, spend hours digging through the soil, and return home exhausted, with barely enough energy to think about anything else, let alone diseases that feel invisible. But beneath this routine lies a growing health crisis.

“In this kind of work, no one thinks of testing for HIV or STIs, we’re all focused on finding gold. But today I’m glad I’ll finally know my status and learn more about sexual reproductive health,” said Vitalis Shikawa, a youth miner from Ikolomani.

Vitalis had never tested for HIV or STIs before and admitted he hadn’t really thought about it. Like many others, he only heard rumors of how these diseases spread in the mines.

“I’ve always heard that HIV and STIs are rampant here, but I never paid attention. People say if you’re found with an STI, you’re finished. But after the organization explained to us how these diseases spread and how we can prevent them, I changed my mind. I wanted to know more and get tested,” he added.

For Caroline Shimwaka, another miner in Ikolomani, the outreach was a wake-up call.

“We usually ignore our health, but today I’ve been challenged to know my status and learn how to protect myself. A lot happens at the mining site that we don’t talk about,” she said.

The shift in mindset from Vitalis and Caroline reflects what health workers are pushing for in the region. Phelistus Kanzika, a HIV testing provider from Shibwe Health Centre, has seen firsthand how fear and misinformation keep miners away from health services.

“We bring services to vulnerable communities like this because miners are at high risk of contracting HIV and STIs. Today, we’re offering HIV and STI testing, condoms, contraceptives, and sexual reproductive health talks,” Phelistus explained.

“There’s a lot of sexual activity happening at mining sites,  including ‘sex for gold’ which increases the spread of diseases since many don’t use prevention methods like condoms, PrEP, or PEP.”

But this wasn’t just a testing camp. Felistus and her team also ran counselling and education sessions, giving community members space to ask questions, learn about prevention, and understand the importance of early detection.

She emphasized that HIV and other STIs don’t show symptoms right away, making testing the only way to know your health status.

“Currently, data shows HIV prevalence in Kakamega County is 3.7%, slightly above the national average. Some mining areas report even higher rates due to risky sexual behavior and lack of awareness. This outreach, thanks to Rising to Greatness, helps address these issues,” Phelistus noted.

Vitalis, Caroline and other miners were grateful, not just for their test results, but also for the family planning education.

“When I was young and got married, we didn’t have these family planning options, that’s why people gave birth uncontrollably. But now, with this information, we can plan for our families. Young people have also been taught how to avoid early pregnancies,” Caroline shared.

Felistus added that many miners don’t visit health centres unless they’re very sick. That’s why bringing services directly to mining sites is critical.

“Now miners can access prevention services like PrEP, PEP, condoms, and contraceptives right here. For ARVs, we guide them to the hospital for proper care,” she said.

Alongside testing, the outreach included sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) education, covering topics like unplanned pregnancies and gender-based violence (GBV).

Dr. Metrine, an SRHR officer from Iguhu Health Centre, and Yustine, Migodi ya Usawa Project Manager, highlighted the importance of these conversations in mining areas.

“Many adults avoid talking about sex, thinking it promotes immorality. But without SRHR knowledge, people can’t make informed decisions about their health,” Dr. Metrine said.

Yustine urged miners, especially women, to report any form of GBV they face at the mining sites.

Another pressing issue that came up during the outreach was the global ARV supply shortage, caused by funding challenges. Health workers expressed concern about how this might affect people who rely on ARVs to manage HIV.

“Defaulters will be especially affected if the government doesn’t act fast. They often rely on peer educators to remind them or bring the drugs to them. People with disabilities will also face challenges accessing ARVs,” said Phelistus.

Still, Dr. Metrine encouraged miners not to lose hope and to continue seeking services like testing and early diagnosis.

 “Don’t let the ARV shortage scare you. Testing and early care are still crucial,” she said.

By the end of the day, many miners had vowed to seek regular check-ups and SRHR services, realizing that good health is just as important as striking gold.