A recent report by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) reveals that around 200,000 pregnant women in Kenya did not undergo HIV testing in 2023—significantly increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
According to the NSDCC’s HIV Situation in Kenya report, at least 3,742 babies—7.3% of all live births by HIV-positive mothers—contracted the virus last year. While this marks a decline in overall transmission compared to previous years, health officials warn the numbers remain too high.
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV, also known as vertical transmission, can be almost entirely prevented through timely testing, treatment of HIV-positive mothers, and prompt administration of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to newborns. However, a major obstacle remains: many pregnant women are either giving birth at home or avoiding HIV testing during antenatal visits.
Joab Khasewa of the NSDCC explained that over 200,000 women missed HIV screening—either due to not attending clinics or declining the test altogether. “This gap poses a serious challenge to our goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission,” he said during a media briefing in Mombasa on April 9.
Kenya sees about two million pregnancies annually, with approximately 1.2 million resulting in live births. The NSDCC report highlights that of the babies infected in 2023:
- 684 contracted HIV during pregnancy after their mothers stopped taking ARVs.
- 727 were infected through breastfeeding due to treatment interruption.
- 151 mothers acquired HIV during pregnancy and unknowingly transmitted it.
- 434 mothers were infected postpartum during breastfeeding, having tested negative during pregnancy.
Without treatment, the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child ranges from 15% to 45%. With proper intervention, it can drop to under 5%. Kenya’s national target is to reduce vertical transmission below this threshold, in line with global elimination goals.
Despite progress, disparities remain across regions. Counties like Wajir (33.5%), Mandera (26.9%), Samburu (26.8%), West Pokot (21.2%), and Isiolo (20.9%) reported significantly higher transmission rates. In contrast, counties such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, and Nyeri achieved rates below 7%.
NSDCC officials emphasized the importance of continued counseling and follow-up for women who decline HIV testing, in line with national guidelines. Although testing is voluntary, health workers are urged to persistently offer the service and ensure women understand its critical role in protecting their babies.
In high-income countries, early and universal treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women has reduced transmission rates to below 1%. Kenya hopes to mirror that success by closing the gaps in testing and treatment access.
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