The Government of Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to placing adolescents and young people at the center of the national HIV response, emphasizing the need for youth-led reforms and integrated health services.
Speaking at a youth engagement forum planned ahead of world Aids Day celebration, Dr. Ouma Oluga, Permanent Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health, underscored that the future of Kenya’s health system depends on meaningful youth participation in policy-making, programmes design, and implementation.
Accompanied by Douglas O. Bosire, Acting CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council and other health experts, Dr. Oluga engaged directly with young participants, listening to their experiences, challenges, and priorities.
Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding youth-friendly services, including HIV prevention and treatment, mental health support, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, while eliminating stigma and discrimination.
“Young people are not just beneficiaries they are key stakeholders and co-creators of health solutions,” he said.
He highlighted four priorities shaping the Ministry’s engagement with adolescents and young adults that recognizes youth as central stakeholders in ongoing health reforms, enhancing meaningful youth participation in policy dialogue and decision-making, improving access to SRH services and HIV prevention tools and building the capacity of youth champions driving community-level behaviour change.
“How many champions are here?” Dr. Oluga asked, acknowledging the young advocates present.
“Together, we can build a future where every young person enjoys health, dignity, and equal opportunity.”
LVCT health highlighted the power of digital innovation in reaching and engaging youth.
“Young people live online,” LVCT Health Patriciah Jeconiah, noting that digital platforms on TikTok, Instagram, X, and others reach over three million young people daily. He emphasized co-design, stressing that programmes only succeed when youth actively shape interventions, content, and delivery.
Dr Pacifica Onyancha a psychiatrists highlighted the need to integrate mental health services with HIV and reproductive health programmes, citing emotional pressures that can lead to risky behaviour, substance use, or treatment interruptions.
“There are five reasons people turn to drugs: peer pressure, emotional overwhelm, pleasure seeking, stress relief, and coping with unresolved trauma,” one speaker explained, emphasizing early mental-health intervention and professional support.
Bosire, ag CEO, NSDCC raised concerns about rising teenage pregnancies and stigma in healthcare.
“In the past year alone, Kenya recorded nearly 240,000 pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 18,” Bosire noted. “We cannot continue pretending we can tell who is living with HIV by looking at them. Stigma blocks young people from seeking help.”
Dr. Oluga shared the story of an eight-year-old girl who walked alone to pick up HIV medication after losing her parents, cared for by her elderly grandmother.
“She was very sick, with meningitis and a high viral load,” he recalled. “We admitted her for 14 days, supported her grandmother, and I followed her for two years to ensure stability. These realities shape my commitment to patient-centered care.”
Dr. Oluga lamented that many facilities still treat pediatrics, adolescent, and adult HIV services separately, causing treatment interruptions during transitions.
“As a facility head, I saw the impact of fragmentation. Integration saved lives allowing us to manage ART, comorbidities, counselling, and nutrition in one place. That is why we are pushing for integrated care nationwide.”
Programme leaders echoed this commitment, pledging uninterrupted access to ART, HIV testing, prevention services, and support systems across all regions.
“You represent our country a very young country with an average age of 19,” Dr. Oluga concluded. “You are the majority and the future. As the Ministry of Health, we are committed to walking with you, listening to you, and ensuring no young person is left behind.”
