The Kajiado County HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (KCHSP) were developed to provide a framework for the implementation and monitoring of HIV and AIDS response activities in the county.
The process of developing the KCHSP commenced after the National AIDS Control Council held a KASF dissemination meeting to outline the national HIV strategy to Kajiado people. The KCHSP has outlined the Kajiado County HIV profile where the prevalence stands at 4.4% with adult women and men at 6.3% and 3.8% respectively. A total of 23,056 people are living with HIV.
Speaking during the launch Kajiado Deputy Governor Hon.Paul Ntiati said the county has a diverse background comprising for both urban and rural set-ups as well as a rich ethnic and cultural diversity composition. Ntiati said Kajiado County is ranked at position twenty nine medium HIV prevalence counties. He added that there are 2 drivers that constitutes to the HIV epidemic in Kajiado County that are the 2 main highways to the Republic of Tanzania and the Mombasa-Nairobi to Uganda highway traversing the county. The highways attract long distance truckers who make night stops either within or in the neighboring counties. Sultan Hamud, Emali, Isinya, Ilbissil and Namanga are some of the towns in Kajiado County which have been marked as HIV hotspots since they attract sex workers.
The Deputy Governor also promised that the county government is committed to facilitate achievement of the results articulated in the strategic plan through increasing domestic financing that includes enhancing private public partnership and in consultation with the County Assembly will review of the relevant by-laws to raise funds locally.
Kajiado county CECM for Health Gladys Marima said, the proven prevention strategies include consistent and correct use of condoms, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), strategies for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, harm reduction programs for key populations and prevention of HIV transmission in health-care settings through safe blood transfusion services. Supportive services for vulnerable populations like cash transfer programs are critical in removing vulnerabilities to HIV infection especially among orphans. This as a protection mechanism is not only important against HIV, also for other health related dangers like substance abuse and early pregnancies. Urging people to be responsible in life choices and sexual lives.
