Kenya to Deploy Revolutionary HIV Prevention Drug in March

Kenya’s decision to introduce Lenacapavir marks a significant recalibration of its HIV prevention strategy, emphasizing long-acting biomedical interventions as global health financing dynamics evolve.

Health authorities confirmed that the first phase of the rollout will begin in March 2026, targeting 15 high-burden counties.

The Ministry of Health said the country received an initial shipment of 21,000 starter doses, delivered in partnership with the Global Fund.

An additional 12,000 continuation doses are expected by April, while the United States has committed a further 25,000 doses to support early implementation.

Shift Toward Long-Acting Prevention

Lenacapavir, manufactured by Gilead Sciences, is a long acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis - PrEP - administered twice a year. According to clinical data cited by health officials, the drug reduces the risk of HIV transmission by over 99.9 percent, positioning it among the most effective prevention tools currently available.

The Ministry of Health described the shipment as “the first phase of the national rollout,” underscoring Kenya’s adoption of “innovative, people-centred approaches to ending the HIV epidemic.”

The phased strategy will be guided by epidemiological trends and health-system readiness, with two additional expansion phases planned nationwide.

Regulatory And Cost Breakthrough

Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth reaffirmed Lenacapavir’s safety profile, noting its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 and endorsement by the World Health Organization in July 2025.

Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board completed its scientific review and registered both oral and injectable formulations in January 2026.

Officials highlighted a dramatic cost reduction. The ministry said Lenacapavir would be offered at an estimated annual price of KES 7,800 per patient (approximately $60), compared with a previous price benchmark of approximately $ 42,000.

The pricing shift reflects broader global negotiations to improve affordability of next-generation HIV prevention technologies.

Aid Uncertainty And Burden Realities

The rollout comes amid continued uncertainty over international health assistance. Eastern and southern Africa account for 52 percent of the world’s 40.8 million people living with HIV. Kenya’s national HIV prevalence stands at 3.7 percent, according to government figures.

In December 2025, Washington signed a new five-year health agreement committing up to $1.6 billion to Kenya. The framework supports HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance programs.

Kenyan authorities describe the arrangement as part of a “new partnership model” in which Nairobi gradually assumes greater financial responsibility.

System Readiness And Scale-Up Risks

The Ministry of Health emphasized that implementation will prioritize service preparedness, reliable commodity supply, and continuity of care for individuals initiated on Lenacapavir.

Policymakers and health economists note that long-acting injectable PrEP introduces new logistical demands - cold-chain management, follow-up scheduling, and adherence monitoring.

Kenya’s approach reflects a wider regional pivot toward durable prevention technologies designed to reduce dependence on daily oral regimens. The effectiveness of the program will depend on distribution capacity, patient uptake, and sustained financing alignment across domestic and international partners.