Kenya Achieves Nearly 80% Drop in New HIV Infections, UNAIDS Reports

Kenya Achieves Nearly 80% Drop in New HIV Infections, UNAIDS Reports

Kenya has recorded an almost 80% decline in new HIV infections since 2010, placing the country among seven nations that have made major progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.

The achievement was highlighted in a special UNAIDS report released in July 2026 ahead of the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro.

The report shows that Kenya has reduced estimated new HIV infections from about 70,000 in 2010 to 13,936 in 2025.

This represents a decline of roughly 80% over 15 years.

The number of new infections also fell by 56% between 2020 and 2025, dropping from 32,027 to 13,936.

Kenya was listed alongside Benin, Eswatini, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda and Zimbabwe as countries that have achieved an almost 80% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010.

The progress reflects the impact of expanded HIV testing, treatment, viral-load monitoring and targeted prevention programmes.

Kenya Reaches 95-95-95 HIV Targets

UNAIDS also reported that Kenya has achieved the global 95-95-95 HIV treatment targets.

The targets mean that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

Viral suppression is important because it improves the health of people living with HIV and significantly reduces the risk of sexual transmission.

The achievement has been supported by wider access to HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment, as well as improved monitoring of patients receiving care.

However, the national figures do not tell the whole story.

HIV Infections Remain High in Some Counties

UNAIDS data show that new HIV infections remain concentrated in several counties, particularly in urban areas and parts of the Lake Victoria region.

Nairobi recorded the highest estimated number of new HIV infections in 2025, with 1,516 cases.

Kisumu followed with 1,057 infections, while Homa Bay recorded 985 and Migori 970.

The figures indicate that although Kenya has made significant national progress, some communities continue to experience a heavier HIV burden.

Health officials and partners therefore face the challenge of ensuring that prevention and treatment services reach populations and regions where new infections remain high.

Funding Cuts Threaten HIV Progress

Despite the progress, UNAIDS has warned that declining global HIV financing could threaten gains made by countries such as Kenya.

International HIV financing fell by more than KSh193 billion, from about KSh1.13 trillion in 2024 to KSh942 billion in 2025.

The reduction has raised concerns over the sustainability of HIV prevention, testing and treatment programmes.

In Kenya, disruptions to some health services following reductions in international assistance have increased pressure on the government and other partners to protect essential programmes.

Preliminary estimates have placed new HIV infections in Kenya at about 54 cases per day, highlighting the need for continued prevention efforts.

Global HIV Burden Remains High

Globally, UNAIDS reported that about 1.2 million people acquired HIV in 2025.

Another 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses during the same period.

The figures show that HIV remains a major global public health challenge despite significant advances in treatment and prevention.

Kenya’s nearly 80% reduction in new infections is therefore a major milestone, but health experts continue to face the challenge of protecting the progress.

Maintaining high testing rates, ensuring uninterrupted access to antiretroviral treatment and expanding prevention programmes will remain critical.

With Kenya targeting the elimination of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, sustained investment will be essential to prevent new infections from rising and ensure that the gains made over the past 15 years are not reversed.

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Kenya Achieves Nearly 80% Drop in New HIV Infections, UNAIDS Reports