On 3rd October 2025, People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from across Nairobi came together in a powerful and peaceful demonstration, calling for the inclusion of a comprehensive HIV care package within the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA). The march began at Kenyatta National Hospital and made symbolic stops at NASCOP, NSDCC, and culminated at the Ministry of Health headquarters, representing a united demand for equitable, accessible, and stigma-free healthcare for all.
Hundreds of PLHIV and allies participated, carrying messages of hope, dignity, and justice. They presented official memoranda and delivered passionate speeches highlighting the urgent need to integrate HIV treatment, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, psychosocial support, and diagnostics into SHA’s coverage. The event reflected not only advocacy in action but also the collective resilience of a community determined to safeguard its right to health.
This historic march brought national attention to critical gaps in the current SHA framework — particularly the exclusion of HIV services, which disproportionately affects women, adolescents, and young people living with HIV. Participants emphasized that health is a fundamental human right, and excluding HIV care undermines both Kenya’s public health goals and its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) and Vision 2030.
Through their unified voice, PLHIV networks called on the government to:
- Guarantee uninterrupted ART supply, viral load testing, and prevention services;
- Integrate HIV and SRHR services to reduce teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths;
- Ensure structured collaboration with PLHIV networks; and
- Promote stigma-free and rights-based health services under SHA.
The march also underscored the critical role of NEPHAK and other PLHIV-led organizations in mobilizing communities and facilitating structured dialogue with national health authorities. Their continued advocacy ensures that Kenya’s HIV response remains community-driven, inclusive, and sustainable.
This demonstration was not just a protest — it was a powerful success in civic engagement, proving that when communities unite around a shared cause, systems listen. The event reaffirmed that ending AIDS by 2030 requires full inclusion of HIV services within national health coverage mechanisms.
The voices of PLHIV echoed across the capital, carrying one resounding message:
“Health for all means no one is left behind — including those living with HIV.”
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