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Kenya has launched the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug used to prevent HIV infection, offering protection for up to six months. The medication will be provided free of charge to eligible individuals, placing Kenya among the first countries globally to adopt the new prevention therapy.
The drug, commonly known as LEN, is administered through a subcutaneous injection beneath the skin in the lower abdomen or thigh and is taken twice a year. Selected public health facilities in priority counties will offer the treatment, which is also considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Authorities say systems have been put in place to monitor any possible side effects.
Speaking during the launch at Riruta Health Centre in Nairobi on Thursday, Health Minister Aden Duale described the introduction of Lenacapavir as a major step forward in the country’s efforts to combat HIV. According to him, about 1.4 million Kenyans are living with HIV, with the highest infection rates recorded among young people aged 15 to 24.
Duale said the new prevention option brings renewed hope in the national fight against the disease, especially for vulnerable populations.
Kenya recently received an initial shipment of 21,000 doses through a partnership with drug manufacturer Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Another 12,000 doses are expected by April, while the United States government is set to supply an additional 25,000 doses to support the early stages of the programme.
Lenacapavir was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 following successful clinical trials. The World Health Organization later issued guidelines for its use at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2025.
Several African countries have already begun introducing the injection. South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia started administering it in December 2025, while Zimbabwe launched its rollout last week, targeting more than 46,000 people at high risk of HIV infection.
