Baringo County has recorded a remarkable reduction in its Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV rate, dropping from 23 percent in 2024 to 8.3 percent in 2025, marking one of the country's most significant improvements in the fight against vertical transmission.
The achievement was highlighted yesterday during the Vertical Transmission Prevention (VTP) Committee of Experts (CoE) Meeting convened by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), where county performance and progress on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) were reviewed.
According to the national progress report presented during the meeting, Baringo was among only three countiesalongside Kilifi and Tana Riverto move directly from the Red category to the Yellow category, reflecting substantial gains in preventing HIV transmission from mothers to their babies. The report noted Baringo's improvement from 23% in 2024 to 8.3% in 2025, a significant milestone in strengthening maternal and child health services.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation status of Committee of Experts action points and emerging priorities aimed at accelerating progress towards the national target of reducing MTCT rates to below 5 percent.
While congratulating the county health team for the commendable performance, participants emphasized the need to sustain the momentum by addressing existing gaps and strengthening accountability across all levels of service delivery.
Key resolutions from the meeting included:
ÂAddressing data quality and reporting gaps.
ÂInstituting structured data review meetings with clear action points.
 Operationalizing the multi-stakeholder eMTCT Task Force.
 Implementing the "Adopt-a-Facility" strategy through task force members.
 Strengthening leadership, coordination, and accountability to sustain gains.
The County remains committed to working closely with NASCOP and other partners to build on this progress and achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, ensuring every child is born HIV-free and every mother receives quality, life-saving care.