Kenya has received an initial consignment of 21,000 starter doses of the long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis Lenacapavir, marking the first phase of a national rollout aimed at strengthening innovative, people-centred strategies to end the HIV epidemic.
The shipment, delivered in partnership with the Global Fund, is expected to expand access to next-generation HIV prevention technologies as several African countries prepare to introduce the intervention. A further 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April to support individuals initiated on the product, while an additional 25,000 doses from the United States Government will reinforce early implementation.
Through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme, the Ministry of Health will implement a phased rollout guided by epidemiological trends and health-system readiness. Phase one, set to begin in March 2026, will target 15 high-burden counties, followed by two additional phases to progressively expand coverage nationwide while ensuring service preparedness, reliable commodity supply, and sustainable scale-up.
Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, who received the consignment, said the product is safe following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 and endorsement by the World Health Organization in July 2025 under global guidelines on long-acting HIV prevention. He added that in January 2026 the Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed a comprehensive scientific review and registered both the oral and injectable formulations for national use.
Administered twice a year, Lenacapavir will be offered at an estimated annual cost of about KES 7,800 per patient, a sharp reduction from the previous price of approximately USD 42,000.
Health officials said the initiative supports Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda by strengthening prevention efforts, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and advancing the goal of ensuring every child is born and remains HIV-free.
The consignment was received in the presence of US Embassy–Kenya representative Brian Rettman and Dr Ahmed Omar from Intergovernmental Relations.