Women lead in number of new HIV infections in Kenya

Women account for the majority of new HIV/AIDS infections in Kenya, data released by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council ( NSDCC) shows.

The report indicates an overall decrease in the country’s new infections. Infections among adolescents aged 10 to 19 currently stand at 88,853, with 3,244 people getting infections weekly.

Nairobi is the leading county with cases of new infections followed by Kisumu, Homa Bay, Nakuru, Siaya and Migori. Wajir has the least number of new infections.

Kenya has the 7th highest epidemic globally with an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV in 2023.  According to NSDCC,  the number of Kenyans living with the virus dropped this year, with the national HIV prevalence at 3.7 per cent.

The number of people living with HIV but on medication has gone up from 656,359 in 2013 to 1,294,399 in 2023. 

The number of AIDS-related deaths stands at 18,473. A decrease of 3900 from 22,373 recorded in 2013.