Journalists in Uasin Gishu County today participated in a high-impact media training session organized by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), aimed at reshaping the narrative around HIV and related health issues through ethical and empathetic reporting.
The session, part of a broader national initiative that has already reached Mombasa, Kisii, and Homa Bay, focused on strengthening the role of the media in promoting public health through responsible storytelling. It addressed critical issues such as ethical language use, digital platform engagement, and the media’s power in combating stigma.
Opening the forum, Faith Koskei of NSDCC Uasin Gishu emphasized the evolving nature of HIV communication. “There are dos and don’ts in everything — HIV is no different,” she noted. “We must be mindful of how we report, because the messaging is changing and our approach must change with it.”
A key highlight of the training was the county’s current mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate, which stands at 12.5% — significantly above the national average of 7.3%. Only Siaya County has met the WHO-recommended MTCT rate of under 5%, underlining the urgent need for intensified advocacy and accurate reporting in regions like Uasin Gishu.
The forum adopted a multi-sectoral lens, examining how journalists can help improve visibility around Kenya’s syndemic response — a coordinated approach addressing overlapping health threats, including HIV, mental health, and gender-based violence.
Personal stories brought a human face to the statistics. Loice (not her real name), a mentor mother living with HIV, shared her powerful journey of resilience and support. “Newly diagnosed women often feel lost,” she said. “But they don’t have to walk alone — we’re here.” Now an advocate, Loice supports 156 HIV-positive mothers in the county.
Journalists were also urged to amplify underreported aspects of the HIV crisis, including the “triple threat” facing young people: rising HIV infections, unplanned pregnancies, and gender-based violence — alongside emerging challenges in mental health and male health-seeking behaviors.
The NSDCC reaffirmed its commitment to continued media collaboration, recognizing journalists as crucial allies in shaping public perceptions and policies. Participants left the forum equipped not only with knowledge but with a renewed sense of duty: to report with accuracy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the lives behind the headlines.
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