Kisumu: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Kisumu County has reached 11 percent, significantly higher than the national rate of three percent. Dr. Fredrick Oluoch, the County Director for Public Health and Sanitation, disclosed these statistics during the World AIDS Day celebration at Kisian Primary School in Kisumu West Sub-county. The county is home to over 111,000 individuals living with HIV, including more than 6,200 children.
According to Kenya News Agency, more than 80,000 of those infected in the county are currently receiving Anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, which helps to reduce the viral load and boost the body’s immunity. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day was “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming Response,” reflecting a call to innovate and adapt HIV/AIDS response strategies, especially for young people.
In the past year, Kisumu County has recorded 1,341 new infections, with 265 among adolescents aged 10-19. Dr. Oluoch highlighted the rising threat of HIV among adolescents and young people aged 15-25, urging for immediate and collective action. The 15-25 age group accounted for 49 percent of all new adult HIV/AIDS infections, with teenage pregnancies contributing to 14 percent of all antenatal care attendances.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Oluoch reported a 99.3 percent success rate in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program in the county, allowing mothers to deliver healthy, HIV-free babies and extending the lives of HIV-positive mothers. He emphasized the importance of addressing the “triple threats”: AIDS, early pregnancies among adolescents, and sexual and gender violence.
Looking forward, the county plans to roll out Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) next year, which could improve adherence to HIV/AIDS medication and modernize treatment approaches. Dr. Oluoch also stressed the need for a robust health system to effectively tackle HIV, with the government aiming to enhance financial protection and healthcare access, particularly for young mothers.
Dr. Oluoch advised individuals living with HIV/AIDS to maintain a healthy lifestyle through proper diet, exercise, and safe sex practices to prevent opportunistic infections. He cited data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), which shows a national HIV prevalence of 3.0 percent, with higher rates among females. Kenya has approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS, with 78 percent on life-prolonging drugs.
NSDCC data also indicates a 52 percent decrease in new HIV infections in Kenya in 2025. However, Kisumu County remains a hotspot, experiencing a 19 percent increase in new infections last year. Ten counties, including Kisumu, accounted for 60 percent of new HIV infections in 2024. The NSDCC emphasized the need for county-specific interventions to achieve equitable epidemic control across regions.
