Turkana County has recorded 469 new infections in 2025, a 63.4% increase from 2024.
About 33% of these infections are among adolescents and youth aged 15–24 years. HIV-related deaths also rose significantly from 265 to 562.
County AIDS and STI Coordinator Samuel Pulkol noted that prevalence stands at 2.19%, with 16,925 people living with HIV, including 15,912 adults and 1,013 children.
He was speaking in Lodwar when the Department of Health and Sanitation hosted a delegation from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) on a two-day learning visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on HIV prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Turkana County.
The delegation, led by Rukia Abubakar, KRCS County Coordinator, was received by Rotich Kipkorir, Deputy Director, Strategic Preventive Health Programmes. The engagement focused on aligning partnerships and improving HIV service delivery.
However, it was not all gloom. Gains were recorded in reducing mother-to-child transmissions, which declined from 16.9% in 2024 to 9.7% in 2025.
Viral load suppression remains below the 95% target, with the county average at 89%. Kibish recorded 70%, Loima 85%, Turkana North 84%, Turkana West and South 88%, and Turkana Central 92%.
On Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Lokichoggio reported the highest number of cases at 283, followed by Turkana West (186), Turkana Central (127), and Kakuma Refugee Camp (90). These areas account for 87% of the county’s reported SGBV cases.
Teenage pregnancy remains a concern, accounting for 15.3% of first Antenatal Care (ANC) attendance, with 601 pregnancies reported among girls aged 10–14 years. Increased uptake of family planning and post-abortion care among adolescents was also noted.
County GBV and SRH Coordinator Shadrack Elim cited emerging drivers including mining activities, reduced PEPFAR support for key populations and Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC), and unreached fisherfolk in the Turkana North lake zone, alongside cultural and faith-based factors.
Speaking during the meeting, Rukia acknowledged the longstanding partnership between KRCS and the county government. She noted that through the UNFPA-supported programme, KRCS is integrating GBV and SRH services, particularly in high-burden areas within the county.
The team will also undertake facility orientations across selected sites, emphasising integrated service delivery as key to improving access and health outcomes.
The delegation later visited the Turkana Wellness Centre, observed service delivery approaches, and engaged with service providers, Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS), and peer educators.
By Peter Gitonga
