Kenya begins nationwide rollout of revolutionary HIV prevention injectable Lenacapavir

KENYA—Kenya has officially launched Lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting injectable for HIV prevention that requires administration only twice a year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fight against the epidemic.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale presided over the launch ceremony at Riruta Health Centre in Nairobi, describing the introduction as a transformative moment in national prevention efforts.

The event brought together key stakeholders including Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, NASCOP CEO Dr. Andrew Mulwa, Family Health Director Dr. Issak Bashir, and Dagoretti North MP Hon. Beatrice Elachi.

Development partners were also represented, with Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu from the Global Fund, Dr. Richard Amenyah from UNAIDS, Dr. Neema Kimambo from WHO, Jennifer Galbraith from the US Government, and Mary Nyaguthi from AHF in attendance.

Addressing a critical health challenge

Hon. Duale emphasised the urgency of expanding innovative prevention options, noting that 1.4 million Kenyans currently live with HIV, with thousands of new infections recorded annually.

He stressed that reversing transmission trends and protecting vulnerable populations requires cutting-edge solutions like Lenacapavir.

The injectable represents a significant advancement over traditional daily oral PrEP, offering a more convenient option for individuals who struggle with daily pill adherence.

Meeting rigorous safety standards

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that Lenacapavir has satisfied all regulatory and procurement requirements under national laws and health guidelines.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board conducted a comprehensive scientific review with Global Fund support, completing registration of both oral and injectable formulations in January 2026.

This followed approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 and endorsement by the World Health Organization in July 2025 within global guidelines on long-acting HIV prevention.

Phased implementation across priority counties

The initial rollout will target 152 health facilities across 15 high-burden counties, following a carefully structured, phased approach.

The Ministry of Health received an initial consignment of 21,000 starter doses delivered through partnership with the Global Fund just a week before the launch.

An additional 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April to support individuals who begin treatment, while the US government will provide another 25,000 doses to strengthen early implementation.

Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, who received the consignment alongside US Embassy-Kenya representative Brian Rettman and Dr. Ahmed Omar from Intergovernmental Relations, outlined how the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) will guide the rollout using epidemiological data and health-system readiness assessments.

Phase one begins in March 2026, with two subsequent phases progressively expanding coverage nationwide while ensuring service preparedness, reliable commodity supply, and sustainable scale-up.

Affordable access and global leadership

The injectable will be offered free of charge to eligible individuals at selected public health facilities, with an estimated annual cost of approximately KES 7,800 (USD 60) per patient.

This represents a dramatic reduction from the previous price of around USD 42,000, making the treatment accessible within Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage framework.

Kenya joins a select group of countries globally to introduce Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, demonstrating strong international confidence in the nation’s health systems and capacity to deliver cutting-edge medical innovations responsibly.

The initiative strengthens prevention efforts, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, advancing the national goal of ensuring every child is born and remains HIV-free.