CS Duale Reaffirms Kenya’s Commitment to Ending AIDS in High-Level Meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚, 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 - 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓;
Cabinet Secretary Hon Aden Duale held a bilateral meeting with Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, at her office in Geneva. Their discussions underscored Kenya’s unwavering dedication to combating HIV/AIDS and strengthening international partnerships to realize a world free of AIDS.
The CS highlighted that Kenya’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, and to eliminate AIDS in children by 2027, noting substantial progress including a decline in new infections and AIDS-related deaths..
He pointed out that Kenya has surpassed two of the three global targets set by UNAIDS, achieving 98% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 98% of diagnosed individuals on sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 94% of those on treatment attaining viral suppression.
Despite these gains, challenges remain, including reaching vulnerable populations, combating stigma, and ensuring sustainable financing for HIV programs. The CS highlighted UNAIDS’ vital role in addressing these issues through advocacy, technical expertise, and data-driven policies and acknowledged the shifting global funding landscape, emphasizing the need for increased domestic resource mobilization.
On her part, Byanyima lauded Kenya’s steps towards combating the virus among the youth, especially teenage girls, pledging more support for Kenya.
In attendance were Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, DG Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Amb. Fancy Too, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva, among other senior ministry officials.
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