A legal row has erupted between a Kenyan woman and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) after sharply differing conclusions about her HIV status triggered questions on the reliability of diagnostic procedures in the country.

Millicent Awino, a devotee of maverick preacher Prophet David Owuor, is demanding that KEMRI retract findings issued in a letter dated April 20, 2026. In that communication, the institute stated that there was no proof she had ever been HIV positive – contradicting years of medical records indicating otherwise.

Through her legal representatives – Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta and Stanley Kinyanjui – Awino maintains that she was initially diagnosed with HIV in September 2023 at a public health facility after exhibiting symptoms consistent with the infection.

“Our client was duly tested, confirmed and placed on treatment in strict adherence to national protocols. The claim that she was never HIV positive is both inconsistent and deeply troubling,” her lawyers state.

A follow-up test at a different facility allegedly confirmed the diagnosis, leading to her immediate enrolment in care and commencement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as required under national treatment guidelines.

Medical documentation referenced in the demand letter – including her comprehensive care clinic (CCC) records and entries in the Taifa Care system –shows she remained under treatment as a confirmed HIV patient in government-run programmes.

The situation took an unexpected turn in late 2024 when Awino began receiving HIV-negative results after participating remotely in a religious healing service led by Prophet Owuor.

According to her account, she took part in a televised crusade in Menengai, Nakuru, during which she placed her clinic card against the television screen while prayers were conducted.

“She reported experiencing a sensation she believed signified healing, after which subsequent tests consistently returned negative results,” her legal team noted.

Tests conducted at various facilities – including one in February 2025 and a viral load assessment in September 2025 – reportedly indicated negative or undetectable outcomes.

The unusual development prompted intervention from the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), which authorised further investigations and confirmatory testing.

Additional examinations carried out under KEMRI’s supervision in early 2026 were described as inconclusive, with Awino being recalled for repeat assessments. However, the institute ultimately concluded that there was no evidence she had ever been infected with HIV – a position her lawyers strongly dispute.

“Under Kenya’s HIV Testing Services Guidelines, initiation of ART can only occur after confirmed positive results. This raises serious questions about how such a conclusion was reached,” the lawyers argue.

They warn that the apparent contradiction could point to procedural lapses or deeper systemic issues in HIV diagnosis and patient management within the public health system.

Awino is now seeking a formal withdrawal of KEMRI’s findings and clarification from the Ministry of Health regarding the integrity of HIV testing frameworks in Kenya.

The matter has also been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as a case of public concern.

The dispute further references a separate but similar case involving another patient, adding to growing scrutiny over possible inconsistencies in HIV diagnosis and reporting nationwide.

“This is not just about one patient – it raises broader concerns about the credibility of diagnostic systems and patient safety,” the legal team added.

• A Tell Media report / By Elizabeth Were