A new era of HIV prevention: Delivering HIV care on-demand to Kenya’s youth
Young people in western Kenya face one of the highest HIV transmission rates globally, with adolescents and young adults accounting for over 60% of new infections—more than double the rate seen a decade ago. Despite major strides in HIV prevention and treatment, many still struggle to access vital services. Stigma, high travel costs, and long distances to clinics discourage routine testing and timely treatment.
Determined to overcome these challenges, several Kenyan counties, in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and Zipline, have introduced a groundbreaking solution: drone deliveries that bring HIV counseling, testing, and medications directly to youth in the communities where they live and gather. Beyond delivering supplies, this approach incorporates partnerships with local organizations, ensuring that education and ongoing support reach adolescents and young adults who might otherwise remain hidden from care.
Launched in March 2023, this program focuses on making HIV prevention and treatment more accessible and more discreet. It has already reached over 105,000 young people in counties such as Kisumu, Homabay, Kericho, and Nyamira. A key innovation lies in Zipline’s decentralized care model––delivering essential HIV commodities, like self-test kits, condoms, and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) straight to community events and youth-friendly spaces, rather than requiring individuals to travel to a distant or highly visible clinic.
Since the partnership began, more than 25,000 rapid HIV tests have been deployed for immediate use, and 13,246 self-test kits have enabled young people to check their status privately. To promote safer sexual practices, 296,349 condoms have been distributed, and 8,331 individuals at high risk of contracting HIV have been initiated on PrEP.
24-year-old Naomi illustrates the profound effect. She once avoided HIV clinics for fear that neighbors working there would talk about her. “Those working at health facilities are people I know,” she recalls. “I was scared they would talk about me.” Naomi’s mother similarly delayed treatment until her health deteriorated, but counseling and medication transformed her life. “Now, because of this program, I know about PrEP and PEP,” Naomi says. “I can make better decisions for myself.”
Another young Kenyan, Terri, highlights how the program removes cost and transportation barriers. “Before Zipline, getting tested was expensive and hard,” she explains. “Now, I don’t have to think about transport or judgment. I can get medicine easily, and I’ve learned a lot about how to protect myself.” These firsthand accounts reveal how discrete, community-based services not only expand access but also chip away at the deep-rooted stigma associated with HIV.
County governments have been instrumental in scaling the program, working closely with Zipline to ensure fast, on-demand delivery of medications and test kits. Officials note that this model has improved the responsiveness of healthcare services, allowing staff to quickly restock wherever supplies are running low. The program’s emphasis on community outreach also boosts early detection and encourages more consistent use of PrEP—critical to reducing HIV transmission. Impressively, through this decentralized care model, nearly 70% of patients continue taking PrEP after one month, compared to a typical drop-off rate of more than 50% for similar populations served through traditional approaches.
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand drone deliveries even further, enabling reliable deliveries for CARGS––community ART (antiretroviral therapy) refill groups––and individual households. As the global health funding landscape shifts, Zipline and its partners remain committed to adapting, ensuring patients stay on life-saving treatment. By bringing care to people rather than expecting them to navigate logistical and social hurdles, this initiative is creating a new model for equitable healthcare in Kenya—one where stigma, distance, and cost no longer stand in the way of a healthy future for young people.