HIV/AIDS in Homa Bay: OIP's Commitment to a Healthier Community

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Despite Kenya's remarkable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Homa Bay County remains one of the country's highest HIV burden counties. According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) report, A Decade of Progress Report: Translating Progress into Success (2013–2023), Homa Bay is among the eight counties that together account for over half of all people living with HIV in Kenya.

Nationally, Kenya has approximately 1.38 million people living with HIV, with an HIV prevalence of 3.3%. While the country has made significant strides toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets—with 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 97% receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 94% achieving viral suppression—new infections continue to occur, particularly among adolescents, young people, and women. Homa Bay continues to face these challenges, requiring sustained community-based interventions.

For more than two decades, the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) has remained at the forefront of the HIV response in Homa Bay County. Guided by the CMM Brothers, OIP works to improve the quality of life of people infected and affected by HIV through holistic, compassionate, and community-centered services.

Through Shirikisho Dispensary, OIP provides HIV testing and counselling, linkage to treatment, adherence support, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), viral load monitoring, and continuous follow-up to ensure clients remain in care. Community Health Promoters, Mentor Mothers, and Home-Based Care volunteers extend these services to households, ensuring that vulnerable clients receive medical, psychosocial, nutritional, and spiritual support.

Beyond healthcare, OIP addresses the social and economic factors that increase vulnerability to HIV. The project empowers women through self-help groups, supports orphans and vulnerable children with education, equips young people with vocational skills, and promotes income-generating activities that strengthen household resilience.

Although significant progress has been made, the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over. OIP remains committed to working alongside government agencies, development partners, donors, and the local community to reduce new HIV infections, eliminate stigma, improve treatment outcomes, and build healthier, self-reliant communities.

Source: National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC). A Decade of Progress Report: Translating Progress into Success (2013–2023).

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