Kenya is grappling with an urgent financial crisis in its HIV response following a major funding shift by the United States government, which has historically supported the country’s HIV treatment and prevention programs. According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya requires an immediate injection of Sh5.24 billion to sustain HIV services until June 2025, and an additional Sh13.5 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year. This funding is critical to avoid a collapse in essential HIV services and a consequent surge in new infections.
The crisis was brought to light during a high-level consultative meeting in Nairobi, organized by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), which brought together key stakeholders from the government and development partners. NSDCC revealed that the withdrawal of US support, particularly under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has already led to the closure of some HIV clinics and depletion of key drug supplies. The US government earlier this year issued a “stop work order” on specific PEPFAR-funded programs, effectively halting support to several critical areas of Kenya’s HIV response.
Currently, about 1.3 million Kenyans living with HIV rely on antiretroviral drugs and services funded through US support. NSDCC officials warned that unless the government urgently allocates supplementary funding, treatment disruptions could trigger a sharp increase in new infections. Already, Kenya records approximately 16,752 new HIV cases annually. However, NSDCC projects that this number could soar to 58,495 due to gaps in treatment access if no action is taken.
Douglas Bosire, head of NSDCC’s county support division, outlined how the urgent funding would be allocated. He said Sh4 billion is required to support healthcare workers who were previously funded by the US government. An additional Sh1.2 billion is needed for the distribution of antiretroviral drugs currently stocked at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) warehouses. Moreover, Sh140 million would be directed towards maintaining health information systems essential for monitoring and managing the HIV response.
Bosire emphasized that the funds are critical for bridging the gap to the end of the 2024/2025 financial year, ensuring that Kenya’s HIV response does not falter in the face of diminishing foreign aid. Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha Barasa echoed the urgency of the situation, calling on Parliament to prioritize HIV programs in upcoming budget allocations. She advocated for the integration of essential HIV services into the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme, to help the country gradually move towards self-reliance in funding its health programs.
Despite the country’s notable progress in the fight against HIV, including high levels of treatment uptake and viral suppression, the over-reliance on external support has exposed the fragility of the system. Health officials warned that the progress made over decades could be reversed if immediate action is not taken. The Ministry of Health and NSDCC are now appealing for increased domestic resources and commitment from all sectors of government to ensure the continuity of life-saving HIV services and to safeguard the health of millions of Kenyans.
