List: Counties with highest HIV prevalence

Kenya’s HIV prevalence has dropped to 3.3 percent, marking a 78 percent decline since 2010, according to health officials.

The Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, the National AIDS and STIs Control Program, and the National Syndemic Disease Control Unit (NSDCU) on Wednesday, March 13, reported that 1.4 million Kenyans were living with HIV by the end of 2023.

Sixty percent of those infected reside in ten counties. 

Kisumu leads with 135,550 cases, followed by Homa Bay (109,786), Migori (106,003), Siaya (93,368), and Nairobi (82,820). 

Other counties with high numbers include Nakuru (65,149), Mombasa (53,718), Kakamega (51,067), Kisii (48,202), Machakos (46,750), and Uasin Gishu (41,564).

Busia follows with 40,960 cases, while Kilifi (32,485), Kitui (27,598), Bungoma (27,347), Meru (26,727), Kericho (26,639), and Kajiado (25,746) also recorded significant numbers.

Additional counties with high infection rates include Trans Nzoia (24,207), Nyamira (21,759), Kwale (20,810), Makueni (19,035), Nyeri (18,496), and Murang’a (16,133).

Counties with the lowest infections include Garissa (1,895), Marsabit (1,780), Mandera (1,736), Isiolo (1,541), Lamu (1,432), and Wajir (861).

The annual cost of treatment per patient in Kenya is Sh15,000. 

However, following the US government's withdrawal of funding for key health programs, the government faces the challenge of securing adequate resources for HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

In response, Kenya has allocated Sh5.3 billion in the current financial year to distribute PEPFAR-procured commodities, retain frontline health workers, and manage health information systems.

Health officials have called for urgent measures to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to locally manufacture antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).