Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi County has recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Kenya, with more than 3,000 fresh cases reported in the past year, according to the latest official data released on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Nationwide, Kenya registered 19,991 new infections over the same period a 19 % rise compared to the previous year with the youth aged 15–34 accounting for 54 % of all new cases.
The figures were highlighted ahead of World AIDS Day, which falls tomorrow, Monday, December 1, 2025.
Health officials say the increase among young people is driven by low testing rates, inconsistent condom use, and limited access to prevention services in urban informal settlements.
On the same day the report was aired, hundreds of runners gathered at Nyayo National Stadium for the national HIV awareness half-marathon organised by the Ministry of Health and the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council.
The event, themed “One Race, One Goal: Ending AIDS among Adolescents and Young People,” included 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 2 km races starting from 6 a.m.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga flagged off the marathon, urging participants to use the occasion to get tested and spread the message of prevention.
Free testing and counselling services were provided at the stadium, along with information on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other youth-friendly services.
Mombasa Road was closed between Nyayo Stadium and Museum Hill until 10:30 a.m. to allow the races to proceed safely.
Similar awareness walks and community events were held in all 47 counties to mark the buildup to World AIDS Day.
Kenya currently has 1.3 million people living with HIV on treatment, but the rise in new infections, especially in Nairobi and among the youth, remains a key concern for health authorities.
Officials say sustained awareness campaigns and improved access to testing and prevention tools are needed to reverse the upward trend before the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
As the country prepares to join the world in observing World AIDS Day tomorrow, the new statistics serve as a stark reminder that the battle against HIV is far from over.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
