70% of new HIV infections among young people: NSDCC paints worrying picture
Kenya’s adolescents and young people are facing a growing triple threat of HIV infections, teenage pregnancy and sexual violence, putting the well-being of an entire generation at risk. The concerns were raised in Nairobi on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, during the National Roundtable Forum on Ending the Triple Threat, where State and non-state actors called […]
Kenya faces a growing triple threat of HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and sexual violence among its young people, according to a recent National Roundtable Forum. The forum, held in Nairobi on September 9, 2026, called for urgent interventions to address the issue, as young people make up a significant portion of new HIV cases.
Dr. Douglas Bosire, CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), revealed that 41% of new HIV infections among people aged 15 and above occurred among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years. When the age range is expanded to include young adults up to 34 years, this proportion increases to 72%. The forum's stakeholders emphasized the interconnectedness of these three challenges and their potential long-term consequences on young people's health, education, and economic prospects.
They stressed the need for coordinated interventions to target the factors that expose adolescents and young people to HIV, unintended pregnancies, and sexual violence. The forum also highlighted the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in Kenya, with approximately 640 adolescents becoming pregnant daily. This issue contributes to the vulnerability of adolescents and underscores the necessity for robust sexual and reproductive health support.
The situation is critical, and without targeted measures, it could worsen. Stakeholders urged for collaboration between various sectors to strengthen prevention and support services, ensuring young people have access to accurate information, healthcare, and protection from sexual violence.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
