Key elements of the national response

In 2002 Kenya declared 'Total War on AIDS' (TOWA). This is reflected in Kenya's second National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (KNASP 2005/6-2009/10), which runs from 2005/6 to 2009/10. KNASP 2005/6-2009/10 is the guiding framework for the national response to HIV and AIDS. The KNASP is evidence-informed and enjoys broad ownership.   Towards the end of 2008 Kenya commenced on a much needed strategic review of its national response.  It is widely expected that Kenya will commence on a new national strategic plan based on the recommendations of the Strategic Review and new data in the country.

The National AIDS Control Council (NACC) continues to be strengthened to provide effective leadership in coordinating an ever-growing and more participatory number of stakeholders. These include people living with HIV, and the key populations at risk, the government, civil society, faith-based organizations, the private sector and development partners. The programmatic focus has been to target communities and at-risk groups to ensure that HIV interventions are effective.

Decentralization of NACC structures and the annual Joint HIV and AIDS Programme Review (JAPR) process has enhanced the participation of all stakeholders at all levels. In 2008 the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank jointly committed to provide resources for HIV prevention and mitigation activities to be carried out by community-based organizations as part of the Kenya Total War on AIDS (TOWA) initiative.

Kenya's response to HIV has been characterized by strong political will and commitment at all levels as well as improved harmonization and management of resources and adherence to the 'Three Ones' principle.

Key Achievements

Important milestones in the government's response to the HIV epidemic in the past years include:

• Key populations at higher risk were prioritized in 2007. The Modes of Transmission (MOT) study was completed in 2008 (awaiting validation in early 2009) to increase understanding about the interventions needed in these groups. Key populations identified by the MOT are individuals who have casual heterosexual sex and their parners, men who have sex with men and injecting drug users who make up almost half of the annual HIV incidence in Kenya.
• Success with scale up in HIV testing, PMTCT and treatment has continued to exceed almost all expectations.   Kenya has held two testing campaigns in 2007 and 2008 which have proved that there is demand for HIV testing.
• A strengthened national AIDS coordinating agency with an adequate staff complement to lead the national AIDS response
• Increased focus on the national HIV prevention agenda, with particular emphasis on improving the cost-effectiveness of the prevention response

Key Challenges

Kenya was cited a second time by UNAIDS in 2007 as one of the few countries in Africa where return to HIV investment is starting to show. Despite this, incidence in the country has remained high.

Main prevention programme coverage challenges include universal access, quality assurance/monitoring, and expansion of interventions to include most-at-risk groups.

Approximately 98 percent of currently available HIV funding is off-budget and accounted for by international donors, thus suggesting national ownership, sustainability and absorptive capacity to be among the main challenges to be faced.

The need to strengthen NACC's co-ordination and leadership capacities in the post-election political environment in the country.

The post-December 2007 election violence affected a large population and has created a serious humanitarian crisis with long-term effect.

Ensuring resource-flow from donors, and other partners to ensure consolidation of gains made and the effects of the post election crisis are effectively mitigated.

United Nations Joint support to the national HIV response in Kenya

The UN launched a Joint UN Programme of Support to AIDS in mid 2007.  The UN Joint Programme, is modeled along the pillars of the Kenya National AIDS Strategy and is designed to offer effective joint support.   The overriding objectives for the UN support are:

To strengthen universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support (indicator monitoring, acceleration towards targets, quality assurance and reporting)

Advance harmonization and alignment agenda of the national HIV response (strengthening effectiveness of the Three Ones, development of common planning and operational framework of a joint annual national work plan and technical support plan to form basis for resource allocation, programme decisions/implementation and monitoring of all key partners)

Useful Links

• NACA - National AIDS Control Council
• National Strategic Plan
• National Male Circumcision Policy
• HIV and AIDS Worplace Policy
• PMTCT and Paediatric Care and Treatment Fact Sheet

Contacts

UNAIDS Country Office