The government has called on young people to take a more central role in shaping Kenya’s fight against HIV, saying their experiences and voices are essential to ending new infections and improving care.
Speaking during a leadership dialogue for adolescents and young people living with HIV at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga said young people must not be treated as bystanders in decisions that directly affect their lives.
“Young people are not the future they are the present as well,” he said, urging them to speak up, participate in policy conversations and take ownership of the country’s HIV response.
Dr. Oluga noted that adolescents and young adults continue to face unique barriers, from stigma and discrimination to gaps in treatment access and the emotional burden of living with HIV. He added that the national response must go beyond medication and clinics to address mental health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and poverty, issues that often shape health outcomes for young people.
Drawing from his years in clinical practice, the PS said sustainable solutions require understanding what young people actually experience at home, in school and within health facilities.
“You cannot design a solution for young people without listening to their lived realities,” he said, assuring them that the government is committed to supporting smooth transitions from adolescent care into adult services so no young person is left behind.
He acknowledged the roles many young people already play as peer educators, mentors, advocates and support-group leaders and encouraged them to continue pushing for youth-friendly services and helping reduce stigma in their communities.
Dr. Oluga also pointed to programmes such as NYOTA, mentorship initiatives and income-generating projects as avenues for empowerment and stability, noting that economic security remains a critical part of long-term health.
“The energy, leadership and courage of young people will determine whether Kenya ends AIDS,” he said.
The dialogue brought together young people living with HIV, KMTC students, county representatives and health sector officials. Among those present were Dr. Douglas Bosire, Acting CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC); Dr. Caroline Mwangi, representing the Head of NASCOP; Dr. Andrew Mluwa; and members of the KMTC leadership.
The meeting provided a rare space for young people to openly share their experiences and propose solutions underscoring their place at the centre of Kenya’s journey toward a healthier, more empowered generation
