Kenya Records Decline in HIV Infections Among Youth

Kenya has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections among its youth, according to recent national data. A report by the Ministry of Health shows that from 2013 to 2023, new HIV infections in the country dropped dramatically, contributing to an overall 83 percent decline in new cases.
Particularly encouraging are the trends among young people aged 15–24 years. According to the 2020 Kenya HIV Estimates Report, new infections in this age bracket fell from 20,400 in 2014 to 14,410 by 2020, representing a nearly 29 percent drop. Meanwhile, infections among adolescents aged 10–19 years also declined, from 8,900 in 2014 to 6,166 in 2020.
Some counties are leading by example. In Siaya County, for instance, new HIV/AIDS infections among adolescents aged 10–19 dropped by 84 percent between 2015 and 2021 — from 2,355 new cases down to 371. These gains have been attributed to multisectoral interventions, including stigma reduction, increased awareness, and strengthened HIV prevention efforts.
However, experts caution that the job is not done. While the overall national picture is positive, there remain concerns around disparities, particularly in counties with higher HIV prevalence and among certain subpopulations. Continued investment in youth-targeted prevention, education, and treatment programs is seen as crucial to sustaining and building on these gains.