The Media Council of Kenya, in collaboration with the National Syndromic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), Aids Health Foundation (AHF), and the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), has unveiled the Voices for Impact–HIV & STIs Media Awards, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting excellence in HIV journalism across the country.
The awards were officially launched on Friday at the Safari Club Hotel in Nairobi, during an event attended by media practitioners, health advocates, policymakers, and development partners.
Call to integrate HIV services into UHC
Nelson Otuoma, Director of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPHAK), urged the government to ensure HIV services are fully integrated into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He revealed that 1.3 million Kenyans living with HIV are currently on treatment, but many still grapple with gaps in access and affordability.
“What is happening is unholistic. HIV must be part of social healthcare for equity so that people living with HIV can enjoy the same benefits others are getting,” Otuoma said.
He emphasized that the media plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions, advancing public awareness, and highlighting the challenges faced by people living with HIV—including the rising trend of new infections.
Media’s power to shape national conversations
Echoing Otuoma’s sentiments, Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui applauded journalists for their influence in driving public discourse.
“Journalists can change the conversation of the country with just 600 words and a compelling headline,” he said.
Dr. Kinyanjui described the Voices for Impact Awards as an “audit for journalists,” adding that the initiative will recognize storytellers who inspire hope, tell the truth, and amplify the realities affecting communities—particularly young people, who remain the most vulnerable to new infections.
“Young people, especially adolescents, are the most affected. Many engage in unprotected sexual activity, which is alarming for the future generation. Proper communication is therefore critical,” he noted.
Worrying Statistics Highlight Urgency
Data presented at the event painted a grim picture:
- 55 new HIV infections occur daily in Kenya—equivalent to one every hour.
- Adolescents and young adults account for nearly 40% of new infections.
- AIDS-related deaths stand at 57 per day, with men dying at higher rates due to late testing and treatment drop-out.
Douglas Bosire from the Ministry of Health disclosed that 21,000 Kenyans died of HIV/AIDS in 2024 alone. Despite progress, mother-to-child transmission averaged 35% between 2005 and 2024, signaling a need for stronger education and prevention efforts.
Awards categories and prizes
The Voices for Impact–HIV & STIs Media Awards 2026 will be open to journalists from all media platforms, including online outlets, radio, TV, print, and community media.
The top prizes include
- KSh 500,000 – First place (Health Reporting Category)
- KSh 300,000 – Second place
- KSh 200,000 – Third place
Additional rewards will include laptops, cameras, mentorship, and professional training programs.
Starting January 2026, the Media Council will also select 20 journalists—including emerging and young reporters—to receive KSh 15,000 each to support their reporting projects.
The award ceremony is slated for April 2026.
The launch marks a significant step in strengthening Kenya’s HIV response by empowering journalists to tell impactful stories that inform, educate, and inspire action.
