PS Oluga urges youth to lead in shaping Kenya’s response to HIV/AIDS
By Joel Masibo, November 29, 2025The government, through the Ministry of Health, has urged young people to take a leading role in shaping Kenya’s response to HIV/AIDS.
Speaking at the Leadership Dialogue Meeting for Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) on Saturday, November 29, 2025, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, emphasised that young people are the present and the future and must be involved in decisions that directly impact their health and wellbeing.
Oluga’s call
”Dr Oluga highlighted the unique challenges facing young people, including stigma, barriers to treatment, and the social and emotional realities of living with HIV.”
“He noted that the HIV response must also address related issues such as mental health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and poverty, all of which influence young people’s health outcomes,” the Ministry of Health said partly in a statement.
Drawing from his experience in clinical practice and health leadership, he stressed that effective solutions require more than technical interventions; they must be grounded in an understanding of young people’s lived experiences.
He assured the youth that the government remains committed to supporting them, ensuring smooth transitions from adolescent to adult care, and making sure no one is left behind.
The PS recognised the critical roles young people already play as peer educators, mentors, advocates, and support-group leaders. He encouraged them to continue shaping policy conversations, strengthening youth-friendly services, reducing stigma, and supporting one another.
Essential programmes
”He also pointed to opportunities such as the NYOTA programme, mentorship initiatives, and income-generating projects as essential pathways for education, empowerment, and livelihoods. Dr Oluga reaffirmed that Kenya cannot end AIDS without the leadership, energy, and voices of young people,” the statement added.
The forum provided a meaningful space for young people to share experiences, challenges, and solutions, further underscoring the importance of their participation in building a healthier, stronger, and more empowered generation.
Meanwhile, Oluga’s call comes shortly before Kenya joins the rest of the world in marking World Aids Day on Monday, December 1, 2025, with national celebrations scheduled to take place at the Nyayo National Stadium.