Kenya has taken a major step forward in its battle against new HIV infections after receiving its first shipment of the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir.
The consignment, delivered on Tuesday, February 17, marks a turning point in the country’s prevention strategy, introducing a twice-yearly pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option that health officials say could significantly reduce new infections.
The initial shipment, facilitated through a partnership with the Global Fund, consists of 21,000 starter doses. These doses arrived from the United States and will form the foundation of the first phase of the national rollout.
Health authorities have described the delivery as a milestone that reinforces Kenya’s commitment to innovative, people-centered interventions in the ongoing fight to end the HIV epidemic.
The rollout is scheduled to begin in March and will be overseen by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP). In its initial phase, the programme will target 15 counties identified as high-burden areas, where HIV prevalence remains significantly above the national average.
By focusing on these counties, the government aims to maximize impact and quickly reduce transmission rates among populations at greatest risk.
The arrival of the doses follows weeks after the government formally approved the drug’s introduction into the national HIV prevention toolkit. Officials confirmed that the approval came after an extensive scientific review evaluating the drug’s safety, quality, and effectiveness.
In January, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed its assessment and registered both the oral and injectable formulations of Lenacapavir for use in Kenya, paving the way for its public rollout.
Receiving the shipment, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth underscored the government’s readiness to implement the programme efficiently. He confirmed that an additional 12,000 continuation doses are expected to arrive by April to support patients who will be initiated on the injectable regimen during the first rollout phase.
Furthermore, another 25,000 doses from the United States Government are expected later in the year to strengthen early implementation efforts and ensure a steady supply.
Amoth sought to reassure the public about the drug’s safety, noting that Lenacapavir received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 and was subsequently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). These approvals, he noted, reflect rigorous international standards and provide confidence in the drug’s use as a preventive measure.
Lenacapavir represents a new generation of HIV prevention technology. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, the injectable formulation is administered only twice a year. The medication works by targeting critical stages of the HIV lifecycle, blocking the virus from establishing infection in the body.
By interfering with viral replication processes, it significantly reduces the risk of transmission when administered consistently.
The long-acting nature of Lenacapavir is considered one of its most transformative features. Many individuals at risk of HIV infection face challenges adhering to daily medication schedules due to stigma, forgetfulness, mobility, or limited access to healthcare facilities.
By offering protection through just two injections per year, health officials believe compliance rates will improve substantially. This could lead to broader uptake, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young women, key populations, and individuals in high-prevalence regions.
The government has set the estimated cost of the injectable at Ksh 7,800 per patient, describing it as affordable compared to earlier high market estimates that previously placed similar treatments at around Ksh 4.2 million. Authorities argue that negotiated pricing and international partnerships have made the intervention financially viable within Kenya’s broader health strategy.
Beyond reducing new infections, the introduction of Lenacapavir is expected to strengthen ongoing prevention efforts, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. By expanding the range of available preventive options, Kenya aims to close persistent gaps in service delivery and accelerate progress toward epidemic control.
Health officials also view the rollout as aligned with Kenya’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. By integrating long-acting HIV prevention into national health services, the government seeks to ensure equitable access to modern, evidence-based interventions across the country.
As Kenya begins distributing the first 21,000 doses in high-burden counties, public health leaders are optimistic that the injectable PrEP option could reshape the country’s HIV response. With additional shipments on the way and international support backing the programme, Lenacapavir may become a cornerstone in Kenya’s renewed push to eliminate new HIV infections and safeguard future generations.
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