As the World marked International AIDS Day 2025 on December 1, Kenya held a national commemoration that blended public mobilization and policy formulation. This was marked by a symbolic half-marathon and the launch of the Kenya AIDS Integration Strategic Framework (KAISF) 2025–2030.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who graced the occasion, issued a hard-hitting warning over the resurgence of HIV infections, particularly among adolescents and young adults who now account for 41 percent of new adult cases.
“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.
His remarks echoed that of Douglas Bosire of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, who revealed that new HIV infections rose by 19% from 16,752 in 2023 to 19,991 in 2024, saying this is an increase of 34% among adolescents aged 10 to 19. He linked the crisis within the Triple Threat of new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence.
The newly launched KAISF 2025 – 2030 takes into account a transformative shift by integrating HIV, TB, STIs, mental health, reproductive health, and noncommunicable disease services into a unified, people-centred system across all 47 counties. KAISF Country Program Manager Dr. Samwel Kinyanjui, on his part, said the integration model is already improving continuity of care, reducing stigma, and strengthening service delivery amid declining donor support.
“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 standardize HIV care,” he noted.
He also lobbied for a stronger national leadership in the transition to see the initiative take effect.
The World AIDS Day Half Marathon brought together youth groups, civil society, health workers, and community advocates, as a show course for Kenya’s resilience and collective responsibility in protecting young people and fast-tracking progress toward ending AIDS by 2030.
