Hon. Minister of Special Programmes, Dr. Naomi Shabaan, UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr Michel Sidibé and Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga with the first copies of Kenya’s third National AIDS Strategic Plan in Nairobi, Kenya. 12 January 2009
Kenya has seen great success in their HIV response. AIDS related deaths have fallen by one third since 2002 and HIV prevalence has consistently declined over the past few years.
In order to strengthen the national response to HIV and AIDS, Kenya’s third National AIDS Strategic Plan, running from 2010-2013, was launched today by the country’s Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga in Nairobi. The country has delivered a plan which uses the best available evidence to guide its response. Built on the recently undertaken Modes of Transmission analysis, the plan responds to the need to rethink some of the priorities of the HIV response to align with the evidence now on hand.
I encourage Kenyans to stop the silence and speak out on AIDS.
Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga
While gains have been made, recent epidemiological modeling estimated that the total number of people living with HIV in the country is 1.2 million. And with an estimated 76,300 new HIV infections in the last year, the Prime Minister in his address committed to face HIV and AIDS head-on stressing the importance to “turn off the tap” on new infections. “I encourage Kenyans to stop the silence and speak out on AIDS,” said Mr Odinga.
Men and women in committed relationships now account for 44% of new infections in Kenya. Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, building on Mr Odinga’s argument stressed that “Clearly a new approach is needed to reach those traditionally considered not at high risk. This plan offers just that”
“By pursuing a prevention revolution, we can reduce sexual transmission of HIV,” said Mr Sidibé. “Let 2010 be the year when change begins and universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support moves from rhetoric to reality.”
Let 2010 be the year when change begins and universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support moves from rhetoric to reality.
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
This third National AIDS Strategic Plan also sets the stage for a stronger National AIDS Control Council, which will guide an inclusive and broad coalition of advocates and stakeholders from different sectors of society in a more cohesive way.
Mr Sidibé’s attendance at the launch concluded his official country visit to Kenya. During the past five days, the UNAIDS Executive Director has met with key leaders in the country. He also took the opportunity to visit the Kibera slum where he met with women’s organization delivering HIV services under very difficult conditions. Inspired by their strength and resilience, Mr Sidibé saluted these powerful community members in his remarks at the launch of the strategic plan.
Participating in the launch in Nairobi were also Hon. Naomi Shaban, Minister of State for Special Programmers, Hon. Beth Mugo, Minister of Public Health and Sanitation as well as Ambassadors and heads of UN agencies.
Reducing sexual transmission of HIV is one of the nine priority areas in the UNAIDS Outcome Framework
