THE Government is expressing fear over the sharp rise of new HIV infections being reported among adolescents and young people.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said government has roped in local administrators, Members of Parliament and other interest groups in fighting triple threats facing adolescents and teenagers.
Speaking when he received the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director Winnie Byanyima at the Harambee House Annex, Gachagua said new HIV infections among teenagers, adolescents and young adults, is a threat to the nation’s future.
“We have been doing our best in this matter in ensuring our girls are in school. We are particularly encouraging boarding schools in pastoralists areas where female genital mutilation is rampant. We are working with the chiefs and other national administration officers to end FGM and early marriages and have our girls in school,” the Deputy President said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha also labelled the new statistics as ‘worrying’.
A statement from the Ministry Of Health acknowledged the increasing number of new HIV infections among adolescents and young people and mother-to-child transmission of HIV at 8.9% as a worrying trend.
“Kenya remains committed to ending the AIDS epidemic, especially among children and adolescents, as we have recently committed to the Global Alliance,” said the CS.
