Kisumu County has formed an Adolescent Technical Working Group to spearhead increasing HIV/Aids infections among adolescents.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

Governor Jack Ranguma's wife, Olivia Ranguma said young women and adolescents in Kisumu County still bear the brunt of HIV/Aids epidemic due to limited access to information and adolescent friendly services which have increased their vulnerability to the scourge.

While the overall national HIV/Aids prevalence in Kenya among people aged 15 years and above stands at 1.7 per cent among males and 2.3 per cent among females, in Kisumu County alone it stands at 14.2 per cent and 20.5 per cent among males and females respectively according to Ministry of Health data.

In Kisumu County, 13 per cent of the populations lives with the virus, among whom approximately 41 per cent are youth and adolescents.

Overall, 73 per cent of the people in Kisumu County do not know their HIV/Aids status making it difficult to contain the epidemic.

She said they cannot stem the spread of HIV/Aids without addressing the other sexual and reproductive health need of adolescent.

The speech was read on her behalf by the county executive member in charge of Health Dr Elizabeth Ogaja, at Kisumu Girls Secondary School while officially opening the Inaugural Adolescent Health Symposium.

Ms Ranguma said Kisumu is one of the counties that records high sexual and gender based violence among young women and girls which increases their vulnerability to HIV.

She said despite the challenges, the formed working group will spearhead the agenda of ending adolescent HIV/Aids spread.

“I assure the minister and the partners of my total support and I am ready to be the County Adolescent Champion," she stated.