Kenya Receives Groundbreaking Long-Acting HIV Prevention Doses

Kenya has taken a historic step in HIV prevention with the arrival of an initial shipment of 21,000 starter doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The delivery, facilitated in partnership with The Global Fund, marks the first phase of a national rollout of next-generation HIV prevention technology.

A further 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April to support individuals already initiated on treatment, while an additional 25,000 doses provided by the United States Government will strengthen early implementation efforts.

Through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme under the Ministry of Health, a phased rollout will commence in March 2026, initially targeting 15 high-burden counties before expanding nationwide. The structured approach emphasizes health-system readiness, commodity security, and sustainable scale-up to ensure broad access.

Director General for Health, Patrick Amoth, confirmed the safety of Lenacapavir, following its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2025 and endorsement by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2025. In January 2026, Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed a comprehensive scientific review and registered both oral and injectable formulations for national use.

Lenacapavir, administered just twice a year, will be offered at an estimated annual cost of KES 7,800 per patient — a significant reduction from the previous approximate cost of USD 42,000 — dramatically improving affordability and access to life-saving HIV prevention.

The initiative strengthens Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, advances the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and supports the national goal of ensuring every child is born and remains HIV-free.

The consignment was received in Nairobi in the presence of US Embassy–Kenya representative Brian Rettman and Dr. Ahmed Omar from Intergovernmental Relations.

Welcoming the milestone, renowned medic and business leader from Murang’a, Dr. Moses Mwangi, described the rollout as a “transformative and visionary step” in Kenya’s public health journey. He commended the government, development partners, and health agencies for accelerating access to innovative and affordable prevention technologies.

Dr. Mwangi noted that the introduction of twice-yearly PrEP significantly strengthens the country’s resolve to curb new HIV infections. He emphasized that embedding cutting-edge solutions within the UHC framework not only protects vulnerable populations but also accelerates progress toward an HIV-free generation, reaffirming his support for evidence-based, people-centered healthcare reforms.