NAIROBI, Kenya – At a time when HIV infections among adolescents and young people are rising at an alarming rate, the Kenyan government has announced an ambitious national journalism award aimed at reviving consistent, people-centred reporting on the virus.
Launched by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Kenya in collaboration with NSDCC, NASCOP, and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Voices of Impact: HIV and STIs Media Awards 2026 seek to put journalists back at the forefront of HIV storytelling at a time when the issue necessitates a fresh national emphasis.
According to experts, the urgency is unmistakable.
In just one year, the number of new HIV infections among teenagers between the ages of 10 and 19 increased by 34%, from 2,083 in 2023 to 2,799 in 2024.
19,991 new infections were reported nationwide in Kenya, indicating a reversal of decades of arduous progress.
An estimated 1.3 million Kenyans are HIV positive today.
Adolescents and young people between the ages of 10 and 24 make up roughly one-third of all infections, with children accounting for 22% of new cases.
National STI Control Programme (NASCOP) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew Mulwa, while addressing journalists at the event, said Kenya’s health systems had been tested following the withdrawal of funds by the U.S. government.
“Time is now ripe for the health systems to be integrated. Not because the funds have been withdrawn, but because we need to do it. The U.S. government has changed its strategy on how it conducts its development agenda,” said Dr. Mulwa.
Dr. Mulwa said the government, through its development and implementing partners, is keen to close the HIV infections among the younger people.
What are the award categories
– Digital Media Storytelling
– Investigative Reporting
– Student Journalist
– Photojournalism on HIV Advocacy
A close look at the evaluation and judging process
According to the organisers, all entries are meticulously reviewed by an independent panel of esteemed judges, comprising veteran journalists, academics, and public health experts. The process is rigorous, transparent, and guided by a commitment to journalistic integrity.
– Accuracy and Factual Rigour
– Depth of Research and Investigation
– Storytelling and Narrative Impact
– Ethical Standards and Respect for Subjects
– Originality and Creativity
– Potential for Social Impact and Change
The event at a Nairobi hotel was also attended by AHF-Kenya Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui, NSDCC. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Douglas Bosire; NEPHAK’s Nelson Otwoma; and MCK’s Manager for Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement, Paul Oyier.
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