Turkana County recently held its inaugural half-marathon in partnership with the National Syndemic Disease Control Council, aimed at raising awareness about the increasing HIV infections among youth aged 15-24, particularly among men.
The event’s theme, “It’s a Race Against Time—Promoting the Health and Well-being of Men and Boys,” underscored the importance of engaging men in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with the ultimate goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Key speakers at the event, including spouse to the Governor Lillian Ekamais, stressed the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis.
Ekamais urged individuals to know their HIV status and seek treatment if necessary, advocating for the integration of comprehensive care clinics into general hospitals to reduce stigma.
She also called for support for the boy child and advised couples to know their HIV status to reduce new infections.
“We need to focus on creating awareness and empowering men and boys with prevention measures to reduce cases of new infections in our county,” she stated.
She also called for increased testing and education efforts targeted to men and boys to reduce stigma about HIV infection in the society.
Cecilia Ngitit, the county’s Women Representative, highlighted the role of education in preventing HIV, linking substance abuse to risky behaviour that could increase infection rates.
Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Janerose Tioko, addressed the gender disparity in HIV testing, noting that more women are tested than men, and called for universal testing to meet the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Ruth Kuya, the member of the County Assembly for Lodwar Township, emphasised regular testing and adherence to Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) as essential for managing HIV.
Isaac Kalale, the professional athlete who won the 10-kilometre marathon, encouraged the youth to stay active and avoid destructive behaviours like alcohol and promiscuity, which can contribute to HIV transmission.
The event aligns with Kenya’s broader efforts to tackle the ‘Triple Threat’ of HIV, gender-based violence, and teenage pregnancy, aiming to eliminate these issues by 2027.
According to Joseph Simiyu, Turkana and West Pokot Counties Regional HIV Coordinator, 13,301 people in Turkana are living with HIV, with 10,095 being on Antiretroviral therapy (ART). Boys and men are, however, not taking drugs as required.
Partner Representatives from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council, Diocese of Lodwar, USAID Imarisha Jamii, Turkana Development Trust, Turkana University College, Kenya Red Cross, and Kenya Medical Training College also attended the event.
By Ngasike Ezekiel and Peter Gitonga
