New HIV Infections Taking A Heavy Toll On Kenyan Youth

By Lynnet Awino

The increase in the rate of HIV infection among the Kenyan youth is becoming a worrying trend, especially with the wake of Covid-19 that has thrown it under the bucket.

According to World Health Organization, 1.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya. An estimated 1.5 million people have died from AIDS since 1984 and at least 180 000 people die from AIDS annually. Young people from the greater percentage of the new HIV infections.

In February last year, the Ministry of Health released Kenya’s National HIV survey which pointed out progress towards control of this epidemic which is the complete opposite of the trend this year.

It’s a fact that people infected with HIV/AIDS have accepted this reality and have learned to live with it. Some have, however, not come to terms with this fact and have ended up committing suicide, especially the young generation who believe their future is done when they test positive.

The issue at hand however is the fact that most of these people who have tested positive have become careless and irresponsible, especially older men who go around chasing young girls old enough to be their daughters. And this I would say is the major cause of an increase in the rate of spread of this disease among the youth in Kenya because these young girls act as carriers as they have some other six or ten boyfriends in different schools who also have some other girlfriends. It’s actually a circle of infection.

I wonder why a married 50-year-old man would go for a 15-year-old schoolgirl for sexual satisfaction yet they have a wife back at home. It’s simple anyway, they want someone who is naïve to easily get into their traps. And yes these young girls are very naïve.

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Yes, responsibility starts with you but you cannot blame these girls because most of them are manipulated into these toxic and unhealthy relationships, and by the time they are realizing this It’s already too late. Pregnant and positive.

Not just this but you will hear word around the street that one must unwrap the packet before tasting the sugar. I believe this is a very dangerous zone to be in as a youth. If we continue with the “I don’t care” spirit then anything could happen.

Although awareness of HIV/AIDS has been high in Kenya and has helped many to cope with their status over the past years, it looks like the burden of this epidemic is still not just huge but increasing because of the negligence.

The “digital” generation who are the backbone and the future of our nation are slowly sliding away not because they are not aware but due to ignorance. They get into doing activities to prove to others that they can, without thinking of the repercussions. We cannot claim we have a future when we’re blind and unhealthy.

HIV/AIDS does not care about the digitalism were preaching. When it comes it will strike whether you’re digital or analog.

Universities and institutions of higher learning, in general, consist mainly of young people in the 17-24-year-old category, most of whom are sexually active, and therefore most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. The behavior of university students is worrying because they have adopted the free zone and slogan “it is my life “. Very many of these students engage in sexual activities with multiple partners, both young and old for favors or just excitement. This is the same case in secondary and primary schools because children become sexually active at an early age. This is mainly common in ladies. Actually, the peer pressure in these schools makes these young adults lose focus.

Kenya has a significant demographic challenge; a large youth population, high population growth with rapid urbanization, and growth of informal settlements. Young people age 15-35 represent 38% of this population. Over 60% of new HIV infections are among this age group yet the demographic of this challenge is in danger of being ignored as new cohorts of young people are constantly becoming sexually active.

Young people will require a changed mindset to fight this disease before it devours a whole generation.

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We need to take responsibility into our hands and do the necessary because this country depends on us.  However much the government has done its part since the onset of coronavirus the issue of HIV/AIDS has been forgotten to the ground, which is not a good sign because it could turn out to be another disaster.

You have the power as a young person to protect yourself and the future generation from HIV/AIDS. Be a smart young lady and don’t allow yourself to be used and dumped. You can always say no. It is also a sign of respect for your own self.

There is no essence in having multiple sexual partners when you can actually be true to one after knowing both of your statuses. But even after this, always protect yourself using a condom during sexual intercourse.

Responsibility applies to all, even to those who are already positive. You could be exposing yourself to other strains of HIV that could lead to your demise.

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