(Nairobi) – Parts of Nairobi’s major roads will be temporarily closed on December 1 for the World AIDS Day marathon, aimed at promoting the health and well-being of boys and men while raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced the closures will take place from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to facilitate the event. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and follow guidance from traffic police and marshals. The marathon is part of efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and aligns with the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.
The marathon route will span major Nairobi roads, starting at Nyayo Stadium and passing through areas like Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Koinange Street, Parliament Road, and Haile Selassie Avenue, among others. Roads such as Marathon Road, Ragati Road, Dunga Road, and Aerodrome Road will also be affected.
The event has been organized by the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) to highlight the “Promoting the health and well-being of boys and men” theme. The council emphasized the need to tackle new HIV infections, gender-based violence, and other issues affecting adolescents and young people.
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, is among the participants and has encouraged Kenyans to take part. “We need to talk about the fight. We actually need to race against time to curb HIV/AIDS by 2030,” Omanyala wrote on Instagram, adding that the marathon is a chance to raise awareness and fight stigma.
The marathon will feature five races:
| Race | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair Race | 6:30 a.m. |
| Half Marathon | 7:00 a.m. |
| CEO’s Race | 7:10 a.m. |
| 10 km Run | 8:10 a.m. |
| 5 km Family Fun Run | 9:00 a.m. |
NSDCC’s data highlights the importance of focusing on boys and men. In 2023, 5,968 new HIV cases among males were reported, with 44% affecting those aged 15–34. That year, 487,710 boys and men were living with HIV, with a prevalence rate of 2.2%. Additionally, 9,808 boys and men died from AIDS-related illnesses, with 70% of deaths occurring among men over 30.
The event not only seeks to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS but also addresses related challenges, including gender-based violence and substance abuse among youth.
| HIV Statistics for Boys and Men (2023) | Number |
|---|---|
| New HIV Cases | 5,968 |
| Men and Boys Living with HIV | 487,710 |
| – Men (15+ years) | 415,721 |
| – Boys (0–14 years) | 35,989 |
| AIDS-Related Deaths | 9,808 |
| – Men over 30 years | 6,859 |