Kenya Receives First Shipment of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir
Kenya Receives First Shipment of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir
Kenya Receives First Shipment of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir
Kenya Receives First Shipment of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir

Kenya Receives First Shipment of Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir

MoH News / Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:19

Nairobi, - Kenya has received an initial consignment of 21,000 starter doses of the long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Lenacapavir, marking the first phase of the national rollout and reinforcing the country’s commitment to innovative, people-centred approaches to ending the HIV epidemic.

Delivered in partnership with the Global Fund, the shipment represents a significant milestone in expanding access to next-generation HIV prevention technologies across the region, 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 strengthen early implementation.

Through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), the Ministry of Health will implement a phased, evidence-driven rollout guided by epidemiological trends and health-system readiness. Phase one, set to begin in , will target 15 high-burden counties, followed by two additional phases to progressively expand coverage nationwide, ensuring service preparedness, reliable commodity supply, and sustainable scale-up.

Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, who received the consignment, reaffirmed the product’s safety following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 

 and endorsement by the World Health Organization in  within global guidelines on long-acting HIV prevention. In , 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 is expected to be offered at an estimated annual cost of about KES 7,800 per patient, a substantial reduction from the previous price of approximately USD 42,000.

The initiative supports Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda by strengthening prevention efforts, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and advancing the national 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.