Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo addressing the media during World Aids Day celebrations in Kisumu City
Kisumu County has emerged as the region with the highest number of men living with HIV in Kenya, with over 50,000 individuals currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This alarming statistic has raised concerns among public health officials and community leaders, who point to a range of contributing factors, including poor health-seeking behavior and rising substance abuse.
Steve Kathaka, the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) Regional Coordinator for Kisumu and Siaya counties, highlighted that many men in the area avoid HIV testing, relying instead on their spouses’ test results. He noted, “Men don’t go for HIV testing; they send their spouses. When they come back home in the evening and see the mood in the house is right, they assume that they are negative too forgetting that they could be discordant couples.” This delay in seeking proper medical testing has undermined efforts to control the spread of HIV in the region.
In addition, rising drug and substance abuse among men has led to an increase in Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), further exacerbating the HIV crisis. “We have witnessed many cases of sexual Gender-Based Violence and femicide with most of the perpetrators being men,” Kathaka added. These behaviors, along with the high incidence of teenage pregnancies in the area, have contributed to the increase in HIV cases.
During the World AIDS Day celebrations at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds in Kisumu City, Kathaka urged a shift in approach to tackling the disease. “We are telling men it is high time that you know your status. Don’t wait until you are very sick to know your HIV status, blood sugar or pressure,” he stressed.
Fredrick Oluoch, Kisumu County Director of Public Health, acknowledged the progress made in HIV control but expressed concern over the high HIV burden among men. The number of new HIV cases in the county dropped significantly from 12,643 in 2013 to 1,730 in 2023, and HIV-related deaths reduced from 3,901 to 1,761 over the same period, with men bearing the highest mortality burden.
To address the dual challenges of substance abuse and HIV, the Kisumu County Department of Public Health has introduced methadone therapy at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. Additionally, satellite tobacco rehabilitation centers have been set up across the county’s eight subcounties, offering vital support for men struggling with addiction.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo announced that security agencies had intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit brews, which are believed to contribute to the rise in violence and teenage pregnancies. The crackdown will extend to bars operating near schools and places of worship to protect vulnerable children and young girls. Leparmorijo also urged parents to report cases of teenage pregnancies and sexual violence, warning that hiding victims could lead to legal consequences.
“Some men believe sleeping with young girls is a cure for HIV. That is why we have intensified efforts to ensure any reported case is acted upon and the perpetrators prosecuted,” he added.
The call for behavior change remains a central theme in the fight against HIV in Kisumu. The community has been urged to take the disease seriously and adopt preventive measures. “The disease is real and is still here with us. Let us stop trivializing it and take precautionary measures,” said Leparmorijo.
The ongoing public health efforts aim to curb the HIV epidemic in Kisumu, with a focus on empowering men and addressing the underlying issues of substance abuse and violence.
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