Report Shows Decline in HIV Infections Among Youth

A recent national review confirms that Kenya has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections, including among young people. According to data reported by the Kenya News Agency, new HIV infections dropped by 83% over the past decade, falling from over 101,000 in 2013 to just about 16,752 in 2023.
The report highlights that young people remain a priority in this progress. Though adolescents and youth (aged 15–34) still account for a large portion of new cases, some counties are seeing dramatic improvements. In Siaya County, new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10–19 fell by 84% between 2015 and 2021, from 2,355 to only 371.
Experts attribute these gains to expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), improved HIV testing, and targeted prevention programs. The health sector’s success is also driven by community-led efforts and county-level campaigns — for example, Siaya’s Triple Threat Campaign that addresses HIV infections alongside adolescent pregnancies and gender-based violence. K
Despite the positive trend, public health officials are cautioning against complacency. A senior director at the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council noted that although overall new infections are declining, young people below 24 years still face a serious threat, especially given rising rates in certain counties.