Kenya’s Ministry of Health has announced plans to deploy a new long-acting HIV-prevention drug, lenacapavir, beginning in early March across 15 priority counties.
The drug, administered twice yearly, has demonstrated more than 99.9 per cent effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV transmission.
Despite its effectiveness, lenacapavir is classified as a chemical preventive therapy rather than a vaccine because it does not stimulate the immune system.
Kenya is among nine African nations selected to introduce the drug.
Rollouts have already commenced in South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia since December.
Initial Supply and Distribution
Health Minister Aden Duale confirmed that Kenya received its first shipment of 21,000 doses on Tuesday through a partnership involving Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Mal.
“The first phase of implementation will begin early March, covering 15 counties,” Duale said, adding that an additional 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April.
The United States government has also pledged to supply an extra 25,000 doses to support the rollout.
Regional HIV Burden
Eastern and southern Africa remain the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic, accounting for approximately 52 percent of the 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide, according to 2024 data from UNAIDS. Kenya’s HIV prevalence currently stands at 3.7 percent.
The rollout comes amid funding challenges following aid reductions by the administration of Donald Trump, which have affected HIV/AIDS programmes across Africa.
In December, Kenya signed a $2.5 billion bilateral health agreement with the United States the first such arrangement after the dismantling of United States Agency for International Development and the sidelining of non-governmental organisations.
Under the deal, Washington will provide $1.6 billion over five years to support health initiatives including HIV/AIDS control, malaria response, and polio prevention, while Kenya is expected to contribute $850 million and gradually assume greater program responsibility.
However, the agreement faces a legal challenge from a Kenyan senator, who argues that it violates constitutional provisions.
The introduction of lenacapavir is expected to significantly strengthen Kenya’s HIV prevention strategy and could mark a major step forward in reducing new infections across the region.
