Media personality Caroline Mutoko has issued a strong warning to Kenya’s Generation Z after official statistics revealed a 19% rise in new HIV infections nationwide, with Nairobi leading in cases. She criticized the casual attitude some young people have towards protection, urging them to take personal responsibility for their health.
Taking to social media, Mutoko stressed that “Protection isn’t old-school, it’s self-respect,” adding that many youth spend more time choosing their outfit than getting tested. She reminded them that the virus is evolving, warning: “If you don’t take yourself seriously, you’re not going to be here in another 10 years.”
Mutoko linked the current nonchalance to past successful campaigns that destigmatized HIV and AIDS. She reflected on the virus’s devastating impact, sharing personal losses and the struggles of families affected by HIV, emphasizing that the threat remains very real.
Latest Ministry of Health data shows Nairobi recorded over 3,000 new infections last year, while nationwide, young people aged 15–34 accounted for 54% of the 19,991 new cases. Health officials attribute the surge to limited access to prevention services, inconsistent condom use, and low testing rates, particularly in urban informal settlements.
The statistics were released ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, marked by a national HIV awareness half-marathon themed “One Race, One Goal: Ending AIDS among Adolescents and Young People.” Free testing, counselling, and PrEP information were offered to participants.
Mutoko’s message underscores the urgent need for sustained awareness campaigns and better access to prevention tools, reminding Gen Z that the fight against HIV is far from over.
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