01/12/2025
Commemoration Message – World AIDS Day, Kabarnet, Baringo County
Theme: One Race, One Goal – Ending AIDS in Adolescents and Young People
Today, we join the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day in Kabarnet, Baringo County, united under the powerful theme “One Race, One Goal – Ending AIDS in Adolescents and Young People.” This day reminds us of our shared responsibility to safeguard the health, dignity, and future of our adolescents and youth—a generation that holds the promise of a stronger, more resilient society.
In Baringo County, young people continue to face multiple intersecting risks that heighten vulnerability to HIV infection, including limited access to accurate information, stigma, peer pressure, harmful cultural practices, and alcohol and drug abuse. Through awareness creation, community dialogues, school outreaches, and referral pathways, we are committed to equipping adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and support systems they need to make informed life choices.
This year’s commemoration highlights:
1. Prevention and Knowledge Empowerment
We continue to champion youth-friendly education on:
HIV prevention (ABC approach, PrEP, PEP, condom use)
Understanding risks and early warning signs of infection
Comprehensive sexuality education
Healthy relationships and consent
2. Strengthening Referral Pathways
Working with partners such as NSDCC, Ministry of Health, NACADA, local health facilities, and community health promoters, we ensure that adolescents and young people can access:
HIV testing and counseling
Treatment and adherence support
Psychosocial support services
Mental health interventions
Drug and substance abuse recovery programs
3. Addressing Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among Young People
Alcohol and drug abuse significantly increases HIV vulnerability among adolescents. Through our youth-focused prevention programs, mentorship, and awareness campaigns, we continue to:
Create safe spaces for behavior change
Offer psychosocial support
Promote recreation and alternative activities
Engage young champions in peer-to-peer advocacy
Partner with NACADA and community policing to reduce access and abuse
4. Community Engagement and Youth Leadership
We recognize the strength of youth-led initiatives in Baringo County. Through Tiaty Youth Development Association (TYDA), OMU (Operation Maliza Uhalifu) engagements, peer counseling clubs, and community dialogues, young people are taking the lead in:
Challenging stigma
Encouraging health-seeking behavior
Advocating for prevention
Supporting their peers through challenges
Conclusion
As we mark this World AIDS Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where no young person dies from AIDS, where adolescents have full access to inclusive health services, and where stigma, discrimination, and harmful practices have no place in our communities.
Together—youth, community leaders, health workers, government, and organizations—we march as one race with one goal:
Ending AIDS among adolescents and young people in Baringo County. NSDCC Nacada Kenya Baringo County Government Baringo News Fikirini Jacobs The Global Fund Amref Health Africa in Kenya Youth Senate - Kenya Horn of Africa Youth Network
