By S, KNA
The National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) has raised a ‘red flag’ over the rising cases of new HIV infections among adolescents and young adults, warning that the trend threatens to erode hard-won gains in the national HIV response.
Speaking on Monday in Mbita Sub-County during the World AIDS Day celebrations, NSDCC representative Stephen Oyugi emphasized that adolescents and young people are now spreading the epidemic.
“The HIV epidemic is now domiciled among adolescents and young people. This is where we are seeing new infections emanating from, and that is why our flagship project End the Triple Threat is focused on this age group,” Oyugi said.
He noted that despite widespread awareness of HIV transmission, behavioral factors continue to expose young people to risk and pointed out that poor adherence among young people already on treatment is also contributing to rising prevalence.
According to 2024 statistics by NSDCC, Nairobi leads with more than 3,000 new infections, followed by Migori (over 1,500), Kisumu (over 1,300) and Homa Bay (over 1,200).
Kenya currently has 1,326,336 people living with HIV, and requires about Sh 30 billion annually for HIV management.
Homa Bay whose first documented HIV case was recorded in 2007 now has 104,317 people living with HIV and reports 102 HIV-related deaths annually. Despite these challenges, the county has recorded a major reduction in infant mortality and continues to strengthen prevention of mother-to-child transmission, currently standing at an impressive 98 per cent prevention success rate.
Oyugi urged residents to get tested so that those who test positive can be initiated into treatment early. “Research has shown that when you adhere to treatment, the chances of transmitting the virus to a partner or third party become extremely minimal,” he said.
Homa Bay County Secretary Prof. Bernard Muok echoed these concerns reiterating that new infections are increasingly concentrated among youth aged 18 to 35, the county’s most productive age group.
“We are also worried about the risk of resurgence,” he added. “New infections are rising, and this is a big concern especially now that donor fatigue is setting in and many partners are withdrawing support, including those funded by USAID.”
Muok warned that withdrawing support at this stage could reverse progress leaving the county vulnerable to a renewed surge in infections.
He however lauded the county’s progress in reducing HIV prevalence from 18 percent to the current 11 percent, though still above the national average of 3 percent.
“We are happy with the milestones we have achieved, largely because of strong partnerships and a community that has embraced prevention and treatment interventions. However, we are not yet where we should be,” he said.
The county official urged residents not to relax but to intensify testing, prevention and adherence efforts to safeguard gains and push the prevalence rate closer to the national average.
At the event, it was revealed that injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART), a long-acting HIV treatment option, is expected to be rolled out in Kenya next year, to provide a new alternative for people struggling with daily pill regimens.
