By Mumo Judah, June 22, 2026
Kenya has launched an ambitious strategy aimed at ending decades of dependence on donor-funded HIV programmes by integrating HIV prevention, treatment and care services into the country’s mainstream healthcare system by 2030.
The Ministry of Health is implementing the transition through the newly launched Kenya AIDS Integration Strategic Framework (KAISF) 2025–2030, which seeks to shift HIV services from parallel donor-supported structures to a unified system managed jointly by the national and county governments.
The strategy comes amid growing concerns over declining international donor support and the need to guarantee the long-term sustainability of HIV programmes in the country.
According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), the transition will be implemented gradually to avoid disrupting services or overwhelming existing healthcare systems.
Under the phased approach, 20 percent of HIV commodities will be integrated into the Kenya Essential Medicines List and county procurement systems during the first year. The proportion will increase to 40 percent, 60 percent and 80 percent in subsequent years, with full integration targeted by 2030.
Health authorities estimate that Kenya’s HIV commodity requirements between 2025 and 2030 will exceed Sh150 billion, highlighting the scale of resources required to sustain treatment and prevention programmes.
As part of efforts to reduce reliance on imports, the government plans to locally manufacture at least 50 percent of HIV commodities by 2030 through public-private partnerships. Officials say the move will strengthen supply chains, lower costs and improve access to essential medicines.
County governments have also been directed to maintain a minimum three-month buffer stock of HIV commodities to prevent treatment interruptions and protect gains made in the fight against the disease.
The integration strategy aligns with the government’s broader Universal Health Coverage agenda under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with HIV testing and treatment services set to become part of routine healthcare delivery.
Health experts say the approach will strengthen continuity of care by ensuring HIV services are offered alongside other medical services rather than through stand-alone programmes.
They note that integrating HIV services into the wider healthcare framework will also help address stigma, improve efficiency and expand access to treatment across the country.
Kenya remains one of the countries with the highest HIV burden in sub-Saharan Africa, with millions of people relying on antiretroviral therapy and related support services. For decades, these programmes have been heavily supported by international donors, including the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund.
However, shifting global funding priorities have prompted governments to seek more sustainable domestic solutions.
Officials say the Kenya AIDS Integration Strategic Framework represents a historic transition towards self-reliance and is intended to ensure uninterrupted HIV services while strengthening the country’s healthcare system for future generations.
The success of the transition, they add, will depend on sustained government financing, effective county-level implementation and expanded local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
