A woman in Mombasa has opened up about her difficult journey through trauma, illness, and single motherhood, while highlighting her determination to rebuild her life and support others facing similar challenges.
Speaking during an interview in Bamburi, the woman identified as Nana, whose official name is Nancy Bosibori, recounted how her life changed drastically at the age of 17 after she was gang raped and later diagnosed with HIV.”At 17, right after high school in 2010, I was gang-raped by two men and got infected with HIV,” she said.
She said the diagnosis initially left her overwhelmed, leading to three attempts to end her life before she eventually accepted her condition with the help of counsellors and her family.
Nana explained that over time she embraced treatment and reached an undetectable status, meaning the virus is controlled and cannot be transmitted if medication is taken consistently.
She said this realisation gave her the courage to speak publicly and encourage others living with the condition.
She later entered a long-term relationship with the father of her child, a partner who was HIV negative.
The two lived together for about seven years without using protection, relying on medical guidance.
However, the relationship ended in 2020 after her partner began drinking heavily and publicly disclosed her status during disputes, exposing her to stigma within their neighbourhood.
Following the separation, Nana said she stayed out of relationships for two years due to emotional distress.She later attempted dating again, including through online platforms, but faced rejection and discrimination after disclosing her health status.
In one instance, a man reportedly reacted negatively upon learning she was HIV positive, reinforcing her fears about stigma.
In another encounter, she described a frightening situation involving a man who insisted on immediate intimacy before later demanding an on-the-spot HIV test.
The test returned negative due to her undetectable status, a result she later confirmed with her doctor.
The incident, she said, pushed her to go public about her condition to avoid similar risks in future.
Despite the challenges, Nana has chosen not to engage in commercial sex work, citing personal values, health concerns, and her desire to set a good example for her 10-year-old son.
She currently earns a living as a hairdresser, operating from a small space within her home after losing her salon business during floods.