Kenya is battling a growing surge in new HIV infections, with the latest World Aids Day 2025 report showing a 19 percent increase, from 16,752 cases in 2023 to 19,991 cases in 2024. The National Syndemic Disease Control Council report shows an alarming trend of rising infections, especially among the youth.
Nairobi County leads with the highest number of new infections at 3,045 cases, retaining its position as the epicentre of new transmissions. It is followed closely by Migori at 1,572 cases, Kisumu at 1,341 cases, Homa Bay at 1,180 cases, and Busia at 886-all counties traditionally known to bear a high HIV burden. Other counties with a significant share include Siaya, Kakamega, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Bungoma.
The report points out that young people between 15 and 34 years are still the most at risk, with an astonishing 74 percent of all new infections. Even more worrying is the gender disparity: among young people, females have higher infection rates compared to their male counterparts, affirming continued challenges around sexual health education, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and unequal power relationships.
At the national level, HIV prevalence in Kenya stands at 3 percent, translating to 1.3 million people living with the virus, including thousands of children. The country also reported 21,007 HIV-related deaths, up from 18,473 the previous year, an increase that points to growing gaps in access to treatment, late diagnosis, or interruptions of treatment.
At the global scale, Kenya ranks eighth among countries with the highest HIV burden, grouped alongside South Africa, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.While a significant progress has been made over these years, the fight against HIV is far from over. Experts continue to call for more youth-focused interventions, stronger community engagement, increased testing, and sustained access to treatment to reverse this alarming trend.
