Bii cites rising youth risks of HIV, teen pregnancies, gender violence

Uasin Gishu  Governor Jonathan Bii has urged intensified efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS as the county joined the world in marking World AIDS Day.

The commemoration in Eldoret brought together national and county leaders, development partners, health professionals, community representatives, and residents for a shared moment of remembrance, reflection, and renewed commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

Bii said the day honoured lives lost to AIDS, celebrated the resilience of those living with HIV, and reaffirmed the county’s determination to protect vulnerable groups.

According to the county health department, Uasin Gishu has made notable progress in reducing new infections.

An estimated 41,565 residents are currently living with HIV, representing a prevalence of 3.8 per cent, slightly below the national average.

Even with this progress, the burden remains substantial. Over the past year, the county registered 764 new HIV infections and 870 AIDS-related deaths.

Among children aged 0–14, 139 new infections were reported in 2024—a figure Bii described as a painful reminder that behind every statistic is a real family facing real challenges.

Despite the hurdles, Uasin Gishu’s treatment outcomes remain strong nationally.

Currently, 89.3 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, all those diagnosed are receiving treatment, and 95.9 per cent have achieved viral suppression, allowing them to live healthier lives while reducing the risk of transmission.

Bii’s message was delivered on his behalf by the chief officer for promotive and preventive health, Paul Wangwe.

He said the progress reflects the dedication of health workers, the strength of partnerships, and the courage of individuals who continue to seek care.

Even so, leaders voiced concern about a rising threat to adolescents and young women. In 2024, the county recorded 4,426 adolescent pregnancies, including 78 cases involving girls aged just 10 to 14.

Adolescents accounted for 13 per cent of antenatal clinic attendance, 27 per cent of all gender-based violence cases, and young people aged 15–24 represented 39 per cent of new adult HIV infections.

Bii warned that young people remain at the centre of a “triple threat”—new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence—and emphasised that the county cannot end AIDS without addressing these interconnected social issues.

He said priority actions include strengthening sexuality education, expanding youth-friendly health services, enhancing GBV response mechanisms, and keeping girls in school while fostering communities that reject harmful gender norms.

Uasin Gishu is also embracing data-driven planning aligned with the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework. Wangwe said the approach will ensure targeted interventions reach the most at-risk populations. The county also pledged continued investment in community health services and the protection of essential HIV programs, even as donor funding declines.

Wangwe reminded residents that World AIDS Day serves as a call to collective action, saying progress is only possible when communities stand together to end stigma, support those living with HIV, and uphold the dignity of every child, woman, and family. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to achieving an AIDS-free Uasin Gishu by 2030 and urged residents to embrace compassion, courage, and determination.

He added that through these efforts, the county can protect its communities, safeguard the future of its young people, and build a healthier generation. Wangwe also launched the Uasin Gishu County Adolescent and Young People’s Health Strategy.