By Jean-Pierre A
Kenya’s health authorities have started the rollout of lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug, at health facilities across the country, boosting efforts to fight AIDS.
On Thursday, 26 February, the East African nation is expected to dispatch the long-acting injectable to 178 medical centres nationwide, the Daily Nation, a local newspaper, reported.
Lenacapavir, known as LEN, is a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered once every six months. Kenya received the first shipment of the long-acting HIV prevention drug a week ago. The initial consignment contained 21,000 starter doses.
Officials said the nationwide rollout marks a reinforcement of the country’s commitment to an “innovative, people-centred approach to ending the HIV epidemic.”
Lenacapavir will be rolled out alongside cabotegravir (CAB-LA), another long-acting injectable PrEP approved in 2024 after being recommended by the World Health Organization in 2022.
Ruth Kamau, Programmes Officer at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP), said there is high overall readiness for the rollout.
The government has identified the facilities, trained healthcare workers to administer the drug and assess eligible clients, and put in place mechanisms to track side effects, the Daily Nation reported.
“We understand that no single prevention works for everyone, and different people have different needs; that is why we are giving people a choice when they get to a facility,” Kamau was quoted as saying. “Just like other PrEP methods, it is best to use condoms alongside LEN to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.”
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the first shipment of LEN was delivered in partnership with the Global Fund. An additional 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April to support individuals initiated on the product. Health authorities said another 25,000 doses from the United States government will strengthen early implementation.
During the rollout exercise, clients must take a mandatory HIV test at the point of care to be eligible. Other criteria include weighing at least 35kg, screening for recent exposure, reviewing medical history, and disclosure of current medications.
“Eligibility is a clinical decision that will be determined by the healthcare provider when you go to a facility,” Kamau said.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, approximately 1.4 million Kenyans are living with HIV. Around 20,000 new HIV infections were recorded in 2025, including 13,236 among women and 6,869 among men.
Some of the key challenges the country faces in its efforts to fight HIV/AIDS include funding gaps to maintain the HIV response and sustainability, as the country works to transition from donor-dependent funding to a self-reliant model. Supply chain constraints are also affecting programmes aimed at containing AIDS. For instance, in 2025 there were warnings of potential stockouts of US-bought antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) by May.
Administered twice a year, lenacapavir is expected to be offered at an estimated annual cost of about KES 7,800 (USD 60) per patient — a substantial reduction from the previous price of approximately USD 42,000 (about KES 5.4 million).
In the region, Uganda has also recently received its first batch of LEN. An initial shipment of 19,200 doses arrived in the country this week, following its approval for use by the National Drug Authority (NDA) in January. The consignment was donated by the Global Fund.
Kampala said it will begin the rollout of the HIV prevention drug in high-burden and high-incidence districts in March.
