Nairobi: Kenya is among nine countries selected to introduce Lenacapavir antiretroviral medication, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), by January 2026. The other eight countries are Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
According to Kenya News Agency, Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that this milestone underscores the government's collective determination to expand access to effective, discreet, and sustainable prevention options across the region. He highlighted the urgency for impactful and tailored solutions, noting that the national HIV prevalence stands at 3.7 percent, with 1.4 million people living with HIV and 41 percent of new infections occurring among youth under 24 years.
Lenacapavir, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2025, has been endorsed in the updated World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on long-acting HIV prevention released in July 2025. Administered just twice a year, Lenacapavir represents a paradigm shift in HIV prevention, especially for populations vulnerable to stigma and adherence challenges. Importantly, it will complement existing PrEP options, providing additional choices to meet diverse needs.
Duale emphasized that integrating Lenacapavir into Kenya's national HIV response strategy reaffirms the country's commitment to equity, innovation, and community-led health solutions. He noted that this biomedical breakthrough marks a significant milestone in Kenya's fight against HIV, offering individuals at substantial risk a highly effective and discreet alternative to daily oral PrEP.
The Ministry of Health has already developed an implementation plan and, through a consultative process with stakeholders, is finalizing national guidelines to facilitate a smooth scale-up. 'The Ministry of Health, through NASCOP and our partners, is actively working to ensure this innovative product is accessible to Kenyans by January 2026,' Duale said, adding that there is a commitment to ensuring equitable access, strengthening community engagement, and integrating Lenacapavir into national policies to reach priority populations effectively.
He also mentioned that the ministry is mobilizing the necessary systems and resources to guarantee the timely availability of this life-changing intervention. Duale called upon all stakeholders to align efforts, enhance delivery platforms, and support this transformative journey as the country forges a path towards a future free of HIV.
Kenya has remained steadfast in its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic through innovative, people-centered approaches. Last year, a report from the Ministry of Health showed that an estimated 1.378 million Kenyans are living with HIV, with 97 percent receiving treatment through a robust network of 3,752 treatment sites. Kenya is also on track to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2025, aiming for 95 percent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed to access treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.