SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST LADY OF THE

REPUBLIC OF KENYA, DURING THE NATIONAL COMMEMORATION OF
WORLD AIDS DAY AND THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE DREAMS
INITIATIVE AT CITY STADIUM, NAIROBI ON 1ST DECEMBER, 2015
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be with you here today as we join the rest of the world to
commemorate the 27th World AIDS Day (WAD) in 2015.
The day is dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise
awareness about AIDS and the global spread of the HIV virus.
This day is also an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against
HIV and show their support and solidarity with those infected and affected by
HIV/Aids.
As the theme has continued to remind us over the past couple of years, there is a
clear and present need to get to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero AIDS
related deaths and Zero Stigma and Discrimination.
This is a journey that I am personally committed to and will continue to play my
part in ensuring that all the efforts aimed at getting to Zero are sustained and
positive results achieved.
In Kenya, we have noted with concern that other non-communicable
diseases such as cancer and diabetes, are slowly taking root with devastating
socio-economic consequences, both at household and national levels. The
situation that is unfolding is indeed disturbing.
In this regard, I wish to assure you of the Governments continued commitment to
allocate resources for the HIV and AIDS response to complement the support
from our development partners.
Looking back over the past twenty years, great progress has been made in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. However, there is a grave danger of these gains being
reversed because of the current high infection rates among adolescents and
young people.
Available statistics are worrisome. For instance, it is unacceptable that 21% of
new adult HIV infections should occur among young women of between 15-24
years of age annually. Unless we control new HIV infections among this group,

our aspirations of becoming a vibrant middle-income economy in the next few

years is in jeopardy.
If we are seeking to achieve our Vision 2030, then we can only ignore the plight
of the youth at our own peril. Therefore concerted efforts need to be harnessed to
ensure that adolescents and young people in Kenya are HIV free.
The time to act is now in order to safeguard the future generation. In this regard I
wish to laud the United States of America through PEPFAR, the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation and the Girl Effect for initiating the DREAMS Project.DREAMS
is an acronym that stands for Determined, Resilient, Empowered AIDS-free,
Mentored and Safe.
Our three decades of HIV and AIDS response in Kenya has taught us that a
multi-pronged approach to HIV and AIDS while leveraging on efficiency and
effectiveness yields results. This is the approach of the DREAMS Project hence
our optimism for its success.
Above all, the choice of Kenya among the 10 countries implementing the
DREAMS Project in Africa is a sign of goodwill and continued partnership
between our two countries. We thank you.
An HIV-free generation isn't just a dream; we can make it make it a reality here in
Kenya.
And the starting point towards reaching Zero, is for each one of us to go for
testing to confirm our status. This way every individual will be able to make an
informed choice, to protect his or her loved ones.
I now invite you to join me in launching the DREAMS Project as I reaffirm my
commitment to see an AIDS Free Generation in Kenya.
Before I conclude, I wish all Kenyans a happy Jamhuri Day, a Merry Christmas
and a peaceful New Year.
Thank you.