Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula has emphasized the pivotal role of communities in both HIV prevention and treatment, emphasizing behavioral changes like condom use and adherence counseling to combat HIV transmission, stigma, and discrimination.

She lauded communities for their continuous efforts over the past 30 years in responding to HIV, highlighting their role in treatment, prevention, care, support, human rights advocacy, and reducing gender inequalities related to HIV.

She also revealed that Kenya has 1.4 million people who are living with HIV, with 96% of that population being on treatment.

While marking World AIDS Day in Meru County, Nakhumicha said the new Social Health Authority (SHA) is part of government’s plan to combat HIV /AIDS in the country.

“In the Social Health Authority, we have no limitations or exclusions. If a child is born with a congenital disease, the child will be covered under the SHC. We are committed to delivering Universal Health Coverage, and we are not leaving anyone behind,” Nakumicha said.

A report by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) on the status of the epidemic shows that 7,869 children aged 0-4 years are living with HIV.

The same report shows that there have been 22,154 infections in the last year with 4,474 cases being in children aged 0-14 years, 12,558 in women, and 5,122 in men.

Kisumu has the highest number of people living with HIV, with a population of 128,091.

Nairobi has 124,609, Homabay 120,600, Siaya 96,297, Migori 76,053, Nakuru 57,635, Mombasa 50,656, Kakamega 48,733, Kiambu 45,917 and Kisii 42,210.

The report further shows that the country had 18,473 AIDS-related deaths in 2022.

Sex workers account for the highest HIV prevalence among the population. Men who have sex with men account for 18.2% and those who inject drugs are 18.3%.

3,244 new infections occur every week with 66% of new infections occurring in 15 counties.

Nairobi has the highest rate of new infections, Kisumu, Homabay, Nakuru, Siaya, Migori, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kajiado, Narok, Mombasa, Kisii, Trans Nzoia, Machakos and Busia.