Kenya applies for Sh27.7b aid to fight Aids

By Elizabeth Mwai

Kenya has applied for Sh27.7 billion from the Global fund to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

This tenth application comes after the country missed out on round eight and nine of the fund due to weak proposals.

National Aids Control Council Director Alloys Orago said yesterday a team to address queries from the Global Fund secretariat had been instituted.

"We submitted our round ten application on August 31 and we are awaiting the outcome," said Prof Orago.

Speaking at a city hotel, he said the money would be used for the next five years.

The money is meant to provide anti-retro viral (ARVs) drugs and behavioural change campaigns. It will also be used to fight malaria that claims 34,000 lives annually.

The money will also help fight tuberculosis, a major killer of people living with HIV and Aids.

Orago said the number of people on ARVs had risen from 60,000 in 2005 to the current 360,000.