Kenya marked World AIDS Day 2025 against the backdrop of a worrying 19% rise in new HIV infections, signalling a reversal of the hard-earned progress made in recent years.
According to the latest HIV Estimates, new infections increased from 16,752 in 2023 to 19,991 in 2024, with adolescents aged 10–19 accounting for the sharpest spike at 34%.
The alarming figures set the tone for the national commemoration event, which featured a symbolic half-marathon and the launch of the Kenya AIDS Integration Strategic Framework (KAISF) 2025–2030.
The framework outlines a countrywide shift towards integrating HIV services into routine healthcare to strengthen sustainability and improve access across all 47 counties.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour during the event, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, warned that the resurgence of HIV, especially among adolescents and young adults who now account for 41% of new adult infections, poses a serious threat to Kenya’s future.
“This is a big challenge, and we cannot afford to let it go because the resurgence is worrying, the resurgence is aggressive, and the resurgence needs to be checked before it finishes our young generation,” he said.
NSDCC Acting CEO Douglas Bosire earlier contextualised the rise within the broader “Triple Threat” facing young people: new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence.
He noted that the uptick reflects deep structural and social vulnerabilities that require urgent multi-sectoral action.
The newly launched KAISF 2025–2030 seeks to modernise the country’s response by merging HIV, TB, STIs, mental health, reproductive health and noncommunicable disease services into a unified, people-centred system.
The approach is expected to reduce stigma, improve patient outcomes and enhance continuity of care, particularly as donor support continues to decline.
Country Program Manager, Dr Kinyanjui, said early gains from service integration are already visible, crediting counties for sustaining HIV programmes despite funding pressures. However, he called for strengthened national guidance to ensure uniform standards across the health system.
“HIV integration is a powerful opportunity to eliminate stigma, but we need to strengthen our communication. As implementing partners, we are also requesting a national guideline to help counties standardise HIV care,” he said.
The World AIDS Day Half Marathon brought together runners, health workers, youth groups, civil society organisations and community advocates, symbolising solidarity and shared responsibility.
The event reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting young people and accelerating progress towards ending AIDS by 2030.
