Kenya has rolled out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, as the government steps up efforts to reduce new infections and strengthen the national HIV response.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the rollout places Kenya among the first countries globally to introduce the drug for HIV prevention.
Duale said the injection expands prevention options at a time when HIV remains a major public health challenge.
The launch comes days after Kenya received 21,000 doses of the drug, with an additional 12,000 doses expected by April.
The Cabinet Secretary said Lenacapavir has met all regulatory and procurement requirements under Kenyan law and health guidelines.
He noted that the drug’s safety, quality and effectiveness were subjected to international scientific review and local evaluation by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, with support from the Global Fund.
The injectable will be administered twice a year and offered free of charge to eligible individuals at selected public health facilities in priority counties.
According to the Ministry of Health, the rollout will be phased and guided by trained healthcare workers to ensure safe, equitable access and close monitoring.
Counties set to administer the drug in the first phase include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Kajiado, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, and Kiambu.
Health officials said the decision to introduce Lenacapavir reflects growing international confidence in Kenya’s health systems and its capacity to responsibly deploy advanced medical innovations at scale.
The launch was also attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga, National AIDS and STI Control Programme chief executive Andrew Mulwa, Family Health Director Issak Bashir, and Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi.
Development partners present included representatives from UNAIDS, World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Government, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
