President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to intensify efforts to end HIV infections among adolescents and young people, calling the fight against the epidemic a national priority as the country commemorated World AIDS Day 2025 in Nairobi today.
In a speech read on his behalf by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, President Ruto said this year’s theme; “One Race, One Goal: End AIDS in Adolescents and Young People” — reflects the urgent need to confront persistently high infection rates among young people, even as the nation works toward eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The President noted that Kenya’s youth, whom he described as vibrant, talented and central to the country’s development agenda, continue to face twin challenges of HIV and rising teenage pregnancies. These, he said, threaten to derail their full potential and slow down national progress.
Ruto highlighted global statistics showing that more than 33 million people are living with HIV, with the majority residing in Africa. He emphasized that AIDS remains the leading cause of death among adolescents on the continent, adding that the age group is the only one where AIDS-related deaths are not decreasing.
Despite global challenges, the President celebrated Kenya’s progress in managing the epidemic, crediting researchers, policymakers and healthcare workers for sustained gains. He noted that Kenya has become a preferred destination for global learning missions and pilot HIV programs due to its strong response systems.
According to the President, Kenya currently has 1.3 million people living with HIV and requires about Sh30 billion annually for prevention and treatment commodities. As of 2024, 87 percent of people living with HIV were on antiretroviral treatment, while prevention of mother-to-child transmission coverage stood at 90 percent — milestones he described as encouraging.
Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services. Beginning next year, Kenya plans to introduce injectable antiretroviral therapy, which is expected to ease the burden of daily pills and improve adherence.
The President also linked better health outcomes to national development, emphasizing that a healthy workforce is the foundation of economic growth. He pointed to ongoing reforms under the Social Health Insurance scheme as part of efforts to guarantee affordable, quality healthcare for all citizens.
He, however, cautioned that HIV continues to pose a socio-economic challenge, especially because it affects people in their most productive years. To address this, he said, Kenya has strengthened multi-sectoral partnerships and expanded public-private collaborations through the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council.
A significant part of his speech focused on teenage pregnancies, which he said remain a proxy indicator of new HIV infections and sexual violence. He warned that teen mothers face serious health risks and disruptions to their education, calling for renewed investment in community-level interventions to protect girls and keep them in school.
The President thanked local and international partners for their continued support but expressed concern over declining donor funding. He urged stakeholders to remain committed to Kenya’s #EndTheTripleThreat campaign targeting HIV, teenage pregnancies and sexual violence.
Ruto also applauded the thousands of Kenyans who participated in the World AIDS Day marathon races held on Sunday, saying the turnout reflected the nation’s united resolve to end AIDS.
He called on all stakeholders to sustain public education
