A kenyan youth who was kicked out of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) training in Eldoret over his HIV status has been awarded a million in compensation.
According to reports, the man had been admitted for training in Eldoret to join the Kenya Defense Forces only to be kicked out after seven days after the officials learnt about his HIV status.
The young man told a tribunal that he was kicked out in the presence of other recruits and given Sh1,000 as fare home after humiliating him in front of other recruits over his HIV+ status.
Also Read: How Parents Can Appeal New University Funding Model
He therefore went to the HIV and Aids Tribunal and after keen listening of both parties, directed that KDF to pay the complainant Sh1.05 million for discrimination and failure to seek his consent for the HIV test.
The complainant said that he was at National Youth Service on November 2021 and that’s when he decided to apply to serve in the KDF and he was among those who successfully joined the disciplined forces from the youth service.
Further, he claims he was humiliated in the presence of other recruits by having his status disclosed publicly and was traumatised to the extent that he avoided going home as he lost his job before he had even started training.
Consequently, the tribunal headed by Caroline Mboku ordered KDF to update rules for enlisting and recruitment based on scientific developments in HIV treatment and management and not discriminate.
Also Read: Gov’t Confirms New MPox Cases in Kenya After Screening Thousands
It awarded the petitioner Sh400,000 for KDF’s failure to have his consent. Additionally KDF was ordered to pay him Sh250,000 for not subjecting him to pre and post-HIV testing counselling and also directed to pay Sh400,000 for discrimination.