Kenya is among six African countries at risk of running out of life-saving HIV drugs following the recent suspension of foreign aid by the US government in Kenya , the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. The other affected countries include Nigeria, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
According to WHO, around 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV, with Kenya ranking seventh globally in HIV prevalence. An estimated 1.4 million people in Kenya are affected by the virus. The shortage of critical antiretroviral (ARV) medications could significantly impact the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
Impact of the US Aid Suspension
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus raised concerns that the disruption in funding could reverse 20 years of progress in HIV treatment and prevention. The US decision to pause funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has led to an immediate halt in essential services, including HIV drugs, testing, and prevention programs across more than 50 countries.
“We urge the US government to reconsider its stance on global health funding, as it not only saves lives but also helps prevent outbreaks from spreading internationally,” Dr. Tedros stated. He further called on other donor agencies and governments to step up and bridge the funding gap.
Kenya’s HIV Drug Stock and Supply Challenges
A February 2025 report by UNAIDS indicated that Kenya could experience shortages of key ARVs, including Nevirapine syrup and Dolutegravir (DTG) 50 mg, by March and May 2025, respectively. Stocks of DTG 10 mg available at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) were also projected to run out by June 2025.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa recently flagged off a consignment of 510,000 bottles of Nevirapine Suspension, an essential ARV used to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. She also assured Kenyans that stockpiles of testing kits, first-line HIV medications (TLD), early infant diagnosis reagents, viral load testing supplies, and condoms had been secured.
“TLD, the primary ARV used by over 92% of patients, has sufficient stock, with over 4.8 million additional packs expected between now and June 2025. This will increase central-level reserves to cover more than 11 months of supply,” Dr. Barasa confirmed.
However, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications were not included in the latest consignment, raising concerns over prevention efforts for high-risk populations.
HIV/AIDS Burden in Kenya
According to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), high HIV infection rates remain prevalent among key populations, including:
- Female sex workers (29.3%)
- Men who have sex with men (18.2%)
- People who inject drugs (18.3%)
In 2023, Kenya had 1.4 million adults and 71,433 children living with HIV, emphasizing the urgent need for continued treatment and prevention services.
Financial Impact and Government Response
The suspension of US aid has left a financial gap of approximately Ksh 30.9 billion, affecting HIV services, tuberculosis (TB) programs, malaria treatment, and medical oxygen supplies. The hardest-hit counties—Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori—bear the highest HIV burden, impacting over 351,000 patients and requiring an estimated Ksh 5.27 billion to sustain services.
In response, the Kenyan government, in collaboration with the Council of Governors, the Ministry of Health, and the National Assembly Health Committee, has allocated Ksh 5.24 billion from the emergency fund to mitigate immediate shortages. An additional Ksh 13.54 billion is set to be allocated in the 2025/2026 financial year to sustain HIV treatment programs.
Call for Sustainable Solutions
WHO and UNAIDS have urged affected nations to explore long-term solutions to reduce reliance on foreign aid. These include enhancing local manufacturing of ARVs, increasing domestic health funding, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure a stable supply of essential HIV medications.
As Kenya faces this critical juncture, swift action is needed to protect millions of lives and prevent a major public health crisis.