Kenya joined the global community in observing World AIDS Day 2024 on Sunday, with a half marathon serving as the centerpiece of the day’s events. Organized by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), the marathon featured five distinct races: the Wheelchair Race, Half Marathon, CEO’s Race, 10 km Run, and 5 km Family Fun Run.
The races aimed to promote the health and well-being of men and boys living with HIV, with a strong emphasis on raising awareness and uniting communities in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The focus of the event was to reinforce the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, advocating for early diagnosis and treatment to reduce AIDS-related deaths, particularly among the 487,710 people currently affected by the disease.
Key Nairobi roads were temporarily closed to accommodate the event, which began at Nyayo Stadium and followed a route that included Museum Hill, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, and several other major streets. The public was advised to use alternative routes as directed by police and traffic marshals.
In recent years, Kenya has made significant progress in the fight against HIV, including an 83% reduction in new infections, from 101,560 in 2013 to 16,752 in 2023. The number of individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy has nearly doubled to 1.3 million, and AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 65% during this period.
Despite these advancements, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa highlighted ongoing challenges, especially in addressing the needs of children, adolescents, and young men, who are facing a triple threat of HIV, early pregnancies, and gender-based violence.