Retired farmer Tobias Sijenyi has eight children and two wives, but says his HIV left him lonely.

“There was a lot of discrimination because people lacked facts,” he says. “They thought that if you shared a cup with someone positive, you would get HIV. There was a lot of ignorance.”

He found comfort and help through the Malanga Support Group, set up by and for fellow sufferers, but he says many men are loath to seek help and are too quick to blame women for the spread of HIV.

“Men keep on blaming the women,” he says. “They think it is the women who have brought the violence and their worst fear is what people would say about them.”

Tobias, 76, found out his status after he found himself losing strength.

“All of a sudden, I realised I was becoming weaker and weaker,” he says. “I was a hard-working person but suddenly realised I could not do much.

“I realised something was not right; I even started to support myself with a walking stick. Then someone asked me – ‘You used to be very strong. What’s happening? You better go check your status’.

“I took the advice and I was told I was positive. I was asked if I could adhere to drugs if I was given, and I accepted. After that, I am now feeling well. I feel healthy – I can run, kick, punch.

“That is why I love this support group, When I feel weak, and my heart is terrible, I come here. I get medicine here.

“I have two wives and children and have not hidden this from them. I take drugs openly and do not hide like others. I lack money but my wives support me, and give me funds for transport.”

The stigma, he says, was a deterrent. But he felt he had to overcome it for the sake of his health.

“People fear to be discriminated against or told they are positive,” he says. “It is very difficult. But I wanted to save my life. I weighed that against hiding and being infected, and decided to be open. I was lonely and I had a lot of fear. But now I am happy and motivated to continue.”

Gavin Aitchison travelled to Kenya with Christian Aid, to witness the charity's work with HIV victims and to meet those on the front-line in the fight against the virus.

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• Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal this year is focused on HIV, marking the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the virus.

If you would like to donate to Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal, or would like to find out more about its work on health and HIV, visit christianaid.org.uk/christmas or call 0845 7000 300.