By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
5 May 2026 - Religious leaders across the northeastern region have been called upon to use their platforms to educate communities and curb the rising number of HIV infections.
Speaking to the press after a daylong workshop with religious leaders from the counties of Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and Tana River, the leaders attributed the moral decay and influence of social media as the main reasons for the increased cases of new infections.
The call emerged during a high-level meeting held in Garissa, organised by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) in partnership with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims.
The forum brought together faith leaders from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and neighbouring Tana River County to deliberate on the rising cases and persistent challenges in combating HIV.
Participants at the meeting acknowledged that stigma and cultural barriers remain the biggest impediments in the fight against HIV and AIDS, preventing many from seeking testing, treatment, and support services.
According to data from the NSDCC, at least 1,895 people are currently living with HIV in Garissa County. National statistics further show that 60% of people living with HIV fall within the 30–54 age bracket, while women account for 65% of infections.
Speaking at the forum held at the Garissa Government Guest House, Halima Dahir from the NSDCC emphasised the critical role of religious leaders in addressing the epidemic, noting their influence and reach within communities.
“We must live with realities. We cannot continue living in denial. HIV and AIDS is in our society, and we must, as all stakeholders including religious leaders, join hands and use our spaces to pass the message,” she said.
Dahir added that the faith sector is uniquely positioned to drive social transformation, citing data from the 2019 census indicating that over 97% of Kenyans identify with a religious affiliation.
“Places of worship provide wide congregational reach and geographical coverage. Your role in the fight against this scourge cannot be overestimated,” she noted.
Religious leaders echoed the need for a united and proactive approach.
Sheikh Mohamed Noor from Tana River called for intensified community sensitisation campaigns to ensure the message reaches grassroots populations.
“As religious leaders, we must leverage our extensive networks to openly discuss these issues and foster awareness in our communities,” he said.
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Sheikh Abass Hassan emphasised the importance of demystifying HIV and addressing what he described as the “triple threat,” warning that progress would remain limited unless misconceptions are tackled head-on.
He also pointed to parental neglect — particularly during adolescence — as a contributing factor, stressing the need for guidance at a critical stage in young people’s lives.
“Parents must ensure their children are engaged in religious institutions, which remain vital spaces for instilling values and guiding behaviour,” he said.
Dr Hussein Iman, Director of Health and Sanitation at SUPKEM, highlighted the importance of engaging men and boys, improving health-seeking behaviour, and addressing stigma.
“We have resolved to use our extensive grassroots networks from mosques to madrassas and homesteads to amplify awareness and promote behaviour change,” Dr Iman said.
He noted that the widespread presence of mosques and Islamic schools across the region presents a strategic opportunity to reach communities at the village level.
The forum also discussed challenges such as long distances to health facilities, reliance on donor funding, and the impact of social change, including urbanisation and social media, on rising infection rates.
While some counties like Mandera and Wajir have reported stabilised infection rates, Tana River has seen an increase in new cases, prompting renewed urgency.
Participants concluded that tackling HIV in the region requires a shift from denial to action, with faith leaders playing a central role in mobilising communities, reducing stigma, and promoting testing and treatment.
The stakeholders committed to strengthening partnerships and scaling up grassroots interventions to curb what they described as a growing but preventable public health crisis.