Veteran media personality Caroline Mutoko has issued a blistering warning to young Kenyans after a new national report revealed a dramatic spike in HIV infections — with Gen Z and Millennials driving most of the surge.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, December 5, 2025, the outspoken broadcaster told her followers that protecting themselves is “not old-school” but a basic act of self-respect.
“Protection is not old-school; it is self-respect,” she wrote, calling out the growing nonchalant culture around intimacy among the youth.
Mutoko said she was alarmed by how casually some young people brush off conversations about HIV, cautioning that the crisis cannot be wished away with trendy dismissive phrases.
“We cannot ‘it’s not that deep’ our way out of this. HIV cases in Nairobi are up 19%, and it’s hitting your age group hardest,” she warned.
She went further, criticising the lax attitude towards HIV testing — noting that many spend more time choosing an outfit for a night out than it would take to know their status.
“You spend more time choosing your outfit than it takes to get tested. Know your status. Protect your peace,” she urged.
Her remarks echo the sobering findings in the latest HIV Estimates Report released by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC). Kenya recorded 19,991 new infections over the past year — a sharp 19 percent jump from the previous year’s 16,752 cases.
The report shows that young people aged 15 to 34 account for the majority of the new infections, raising concerns about risky sexual behaviour, misinformation, and dwindling vigilance among the youth.
10 counties shoulder 60 percent of all new cases, with Nairobi leading at 3,045 infections. It is followed by Migori (1,572), Kisumu (1,341), Homa Bay, Busia, Siaya, Kakamega, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Bungoma.
Nationwide, HIV prevalence stands at 3.0 percent, with women bearing a disproportionately higher burden at 4.0 percent — double the rate among men at 2.0 percent.
Even more troubling is the rise in HIV-related deaths. The NSDCC reports 21,007 deaths in 2024, up from 18,473 the previous year, signalling persistent gaps in early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and long-term care.
As the data paints an unsettling picture, Mutoko’s message to young Kenyans is clear: take responsibility, stay informed, and protect yourselves — because the crisis is far from over.
