US Ambassador Kyle McCarter stuck in elevator moments before giving a speech

US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter on Thursday revealed that he was stuck in an elevator for almost half an hour moments before giving his speech during the Kenya Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (KENPHIA) preliminary results launch at Afya House.

Noting that he has never experienced such before, McCarter joked that it is important to take the stairs especially at a health event.

“Believe it or not I got stuck in an elevator just before giving a speech announcing good news of HIV success in Kenya.

“Never happened to me before but now I have a story to tell. Lesson is always take the stairs at a health event. Just makes sense!” he stated.

Speaking during the event, McCarter lauded the steps Kenya has made in terms of controlling the spread of HIV.

Kenya’s HIV prevalence now stands at 4.9 per cent which signifies notable progress made in the last six years, according to the latest report.

KENPHIA was launched in 2018 by Health CS Sicily Kariuki for the Ministry to find the state of HIV epidemic and the impact of efforts towards its control. It provides first-hand insights on the progress made so far as well as identify and quantify the existing gaps.

The study conducted between June 2018 and February 2019 shows that North Eastern region has the least number of HIV prevalence cases.

While Garissa records no HIV prevalence case, Wajir and Mandera both recorded 0.2 per cent while Marsabit and Isiolo recorded 1.2 and 2.2 per cent respectively.

The study found out that HIV prevalence varied across the country with the Nyanza region recording the highest figures.

Homa Bay is the leading county in Kenya with 19.6 per cent HIV prevalence cases followed closely by Kisumu at 17.5 per cent and Siaya at 15.3 per cent. Migori has 13 per cent.

Nairobi is at 3.8 per cent, Mombasa 5.6 per cent, Uasin Gishu 5.5 per cent, Turkana 6.8 per cent and Busia 9.9 per cent.