Exploring New Grounds in HIV/AIDS Prevention in Kenya: The Role of Public Universities in the Attainment of Vision 2030

Abstract

The entry of HIV/AIDS into universities has posed a great threat to Kenya’s human capital. It has profoundly affected the education sector and the Kenyan economy as a whole, prompting the government to address it in the country’s Vision 2030 and Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Higher education not only has a responsibility to join the fight against the AIDS pandemic, but it also has a responsibility to take a prominent leadership position in the fight. In view of the prevailing situation, this paper seeks to explore strategies and tools that institutions of higher learning in Kenya and the education sector as a whole can adopt and implement to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country so as to drive the nation to the successful realization of Vision 2030. The specific objectives of the study were to: conceptualize HIV/AIDS prevention as instrumental in realizing Kenya’s Vision 2030; examine the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Kenyan Universities; identify challenges hindering successful implementation of these programs at Moi University, and; offer possible solutions towards successful mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS preventive programs into universities. The study employed external desk research - Online desk research, government publications and press sources were utilised to analyse lessons learnt from success stories of HIV/AIDS prevention globally. Collation and analysis of the findings was undertaken in line with study objectives. The paper highlights the importance of appropriate education in helping young people avoid HIV/AIDS infection. It offers recommendations that will go a long way in combating HIV/AIDS in Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The study will have a theoretical significance by contributing to the existing body of knowledge on HIV/AIDS amongst the youth in Universities. From a practical perspective the study will propose strategies that may be adopted to combat the disease in institutions of higher learning.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, Universities, Education programmes, Prevention