In a significant stride towards eradicating HIV, the Kenyan government has officially approved the rollout of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention medication.
This decision, announced on January 10, 2026, by the Ministry of Health through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, positions Kenya as one of the first African nations to embrace this innovative solution.
Lenacapavir, available in 300 mg tablets and a 464 mg injectable solution for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), underwent a rigorous review process to confirm its safety, quality, and effectiveness.
Its unique mechanism targets critical stages of the HIV lifecycle, effectively preventing the virus from establishing an infection.
The most impactful feature of Lenacapavir is its long-acting formulation, requiring administration only twice a year.
This dramatically reduces the burden of daily oral medication, addressing challenges such as pill fatigue and adherence difficulties that have historically hindered the effectiveness of PrEP programs.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized that this decision aligns with global public health guidance, including recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which endorsed Lenacapavir in July 2025.
Kenya’s proactive stance in recommending Lenacapavir for registration indicates its leadership in adopting innovative health technologies.
The country has been prioritized for the initial rollout through global partnerships, with preparatory planning underway to ensure timely, equitable, and responsible distribution to populations at substantial risk of HIV infection.
This move is particularly crucial given Kenya’s national HIV prevalence of 3.7%, with a concerning 41% of new infections occurring among youth under 24.
While daily oral PrEP has seen significant expansion across all 47 counties in Kenya, the introduction of a twice-yearly injectable option is expected to improve compliance and broaden access to effective HIV prevention, especially for those who struggle with daily regimens.
The most common side effect observed in trials was injection site reactions, such as pain or redness, which rarely led to treatment discontinuation.
This approval comes after President William Ruto’s promise to introduce long-lasting HIV solutions starting in January 2026.
The United States FDA approved Lenacapavir in June 2025, and it has since been rolled out in countries like Eswatini and Zambia, with South Africa and Uganda also approving the drug.
Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer, is committed to making Lenacapavir accessible, supplying it at no profit for up to two million people until generic manufacturers can meet demand.
