The UK has provided Kenya with $170 million worth of funding for first-line antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and HIV testing kits, according to the Department for International Development (DFID) -- the part of the British government that manages the country's aid to developing countries.

"The UK intervention is to help prevent a shortage of the life-prolonging drugs in Kenya," said Simon Bland, head of DFID. "This emergency procurement is important to ensure continued treatment of those already on ARVs and to start new clients on treatment."

Kenya has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in Africa -- over 1.3 million people are currently infected with the disease, said DFID.