Kenya Leads HIV Progress as Regional Infections Decline

Munich, September 2024 – Kenya, alongside other East and Southern African nations, has made substantial progress in the fight against HIV, with the region recording a 59% drop in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2023. The number of people acquiring HIV annually has fallen from 1.1 million to 450,000, reflecting a significant stride in controlling the epidemic.

AIDS-related deaths have also decreased by 57%, from 600,000 in 2010 to 260,000 in 2023, marking a remarkable improvement in treatment outcomes and access to healthcare, according to the latest UNAIDS report, “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,”

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, celebrated the collective achievement in the HIV response, stating that, “77% of people living with HIV around the world are on antiretroviral treatment, compared to 47% nine years ago. A 30 percentage point increase. They said it could not be done, but with solidarity, you did it. We did it. So well done.”

Byanyima delivered these remarks in Munich, Germany, during the 25th International AIDS Conference (#AIDS2024), held from 22-26 July 2024. The conference brought together 15,000 global leaders, scientists, advocates, and communities under the theme Put People First! to advance progress toward the shared global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Kenya stands out as one of the seven countries in the region that has achieved the ambitious 95–95–95 testing and treatment targets. This means that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. This success highlights Kenya’s commitment to eradicating HIV and improving the quality of life for those affected by the virus.

However, despite these advancements, challenges remain. Data from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council’s 2023 HIV report reveals that certain counties in Kenya continue to report high numbers of new infections. Kisumu recorded the most new infections in 2022, with 335 cases, followed by Homa Bay with 313, Siaya with 251, Migori with 197, Nakuru with 196, and Nairobi with 187. Other counties with significant numbers of new infections were Uasin Gishu (122), Kisii (111), Kajiado (101), and Kakamega (96).

These ten counties alone contributed to 59% of new HIV infections in 2022, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these areas. The report further indicated that other counties like Trans Nzoia (81), Kericho (74), and Mombasa (73) also recorded significant numbers of new infections. Even counties with relatively lower figures, such as Isiolo (7), Marsabit (5), and Lamu (3), still require attention to curb the spread of the virus.

Kenya has also made progress in reducing vertical transmission rates, with efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission showing promising results. However, structural barriers, such as gender inequality, poverty, and social exclusion, continue to hinder access to healthcare and HIV prevention services, particularly for marginalized communities.

Byanyima emphasized the need to address these barriers, noting, “Governments must deal with the vulnerability of girls and young women. Three out of four newly infected young people are girls. There is an injustice there. Roll out secondary education, let the girls be in a safe place of school, and give them sex education to free them, to give them knowledge.”

Community-led organizations in Kenya, such as the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK), play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.

Through initiatives like community antiretroviral therapy groups, NEPHAK ensures continuity of HIV services, reducing the burden on healthcare facilities and providing essential support to those living with the virus.

While the overall response in the region has been commendable, there is still a need for increased investment in HIV prevention. Currently, only 11% of total HIV spending is allocated to prevention programs, with the majority of funding coming from international sources.

Byanyima stressed the importance of sustained funding, saying, “Ensure that the work to end AIDS is fully resourced. Aid to support the HIV response in developing countries has been critical. It got us here. It must continue. Don’t cut it. Increase it, sustain it. Fund the frontline heroes and all the HIV activists out there in the communities.”

Despite the progress, the urgency of global solidarity remains critical. “We cannot turn away from solidarity when almost a quarter of the 40 million people living with HIV around the world today do not have access to life-saving treatment. We have no time to wait,” Byanyima urged.

Kenya’s progress in the HIV response shows the effectiveness of targeted interventions and the importance of community-led efforts. As the nation continues its fight against the epidemic, critics have stressed that the focus must remain on closing the gaps in treatment and prevention, especially among vulnerable populations.

With sustained investment and a commitment to human rights and gender equality, Kenya and the wider region can continue to make strides toward ending the HIV epidemic.