Nairobi Leads in New HIV Cases as National Infections Continue to Climb

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Kenya is facing a renewed challenge in its fight against HIV following a sharp rise in infections, particularly among infants, according to new data released as the world marked World AIDS Day under the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”

The Kenya AIDS Response Progress Report 2025 shows that mother-to-child HIV transmission has climbed to over 9%, the highest increase recorded in recent years. Nairobi now leads the country in new adult infections, while several arid and semi-arid counties are witnessing an alarming spike in infants born with HIV

Once viewed as a continental success story in HIV management, Kenya is now battling a worrying reversal

Mother-to-child transmission jumped from 7.3% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024, almost double the global target of 5%

Eight counties Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Samburu, Garissa, Baringo, Marsabit and Kilifi  recorded transmission rates exceeding 20%, the highest in more than 15 years

In these regions, one in every five infants born to HIV-positive mothers is infected at birth

The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) attributes the surge mainly to low antenatal clinic attendance and a strong preference for home deliveries, especially in northern Kenya

NSDCC’s Douglas Bosire: “The main driver in northern Kenya is extremely low antenatal care attendance and a strong preference for home deliveries

Most do not complete the ANC process, and many babies end up contracting HIV during breastfeeding”

Meanwhile, Nairobi  home to the largest population of Kenyans living with HIV  continues to report the highest number of new infections nationally

Although urban population density contributes to the figures, NSDCC says the capital still reflects the national prevalence rate of about 3%

Government agencies say they are strengthening a whole-of-society approach to stop the rising trend, with a special focus on adolescents, young women and girls who remain disproportionately affected

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Public health experts warn that the increase in cases points to deeper structural challenges, including poverty, inequality, gender-based vulnerabilities and limited access to healthcare  all of which undermine the HIV care continuum

The NSDCC says Kenya will accelerate targeted interventions in high-risk regions by tracing pregnant women, expanding access to antenatal care and reducing mother-to-child transmission to 5% by 2027

However, with only five years left to meet the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the country faces a race against time