Kenya Rolls Out Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug
The Kenyan government has approved the use of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV preventive drug.
On January 10, the Ministry of Health’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board recommended the licensing of Lenacapavir 300 mg tablets and 464 mg injectable solution for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The approval came after a rigorous evaluation of the drug’s safety, quality, and efficacy.
Lenacapavir works by targeting important stages of the HIV lifecycle, preventing the virus from causing infection.
Kenya's HIV game-changer
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 10, 2026
The Ministry of Health has recommended the registration of Lenacapavir, a breakthrough long-acting medicine for HIV prevention.#NTVWeekendEdition @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/CH6Yn74gCb
Its unusual long-acting composition allowed it to be given only twice a year, eliminating the need for daily medications and making HIV prevention more convenient for patients.
The injectable form of Lenacapavir proved very useful for people who struggle with daily oral medication, such as pill tiredness or adherence issues.
The drug’s goal in delivering a twice-yearly alternative is to promote compliance and increase access to effective HIV prophylaxis.
Injection site responses, such as nodules, soreness, or redness, were the most common side effect recorded during the studies, affecting 68 to 83% of patients but seldom requiring therapy cessation.
This declaration occurred after President William Ruto told HIV patients that he would provide a long-term remedy beginning in January 2026.
Kenya was one of the first African countries to recommend Lenacapavir for registration, following recent global public health guidance, including recommendations from the World Health Organization.
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“Kenya has been prioritised for the initial rollout of Lenacapavir through global partnerships, and preparatory planning is underway to ensure the medicine is introduced in a timely, equitable, and responsible manner for populations at substantial risk of HIV infection,” the ministry stated.
Kenya had made significant progress in expanding access to daily oral PrEP across all 47 counties.
The existing daily oral PrEP program has been implemented nationwide and has reached substantial numbers of people at risk of HIV infection.
Currently, approximately 87% of people living with HIV in Kenya are on treatment, and the country has achieved a 90.1% coverage rate for prevention of mother-to-child transmission, leading to more HIV-free births.
Kenya Rolls Out Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug
