NAIROBI — Kenya has been selected as one of nine countries approved to begin early use of Lenacapavir, a new injectable drug for HIV prevention. The Ministry of Health confirmed the drug will be available in the country by January 2026.
The announcement comes days after the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed Lenacapavir, commonly known as LEN, as part of its updated guidelines for HIV prevention. The drug, administered only twice a year, offers a long-acting alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
“This strategic initiative marks a significant step toward our goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030,” read a statement from the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP). The agency is leading efforts to ensure Lenacapavir is rolled out swiftly and made widely accessible.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, Lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk.”
The drug’s approval was announced during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda. Trials have shown high effectiveness, especially among individuals facing difficulties with daily pill regimens, stigma, or limited access to health services.
Lenacapavir will now join other WHO-recommended HIV prevention tools, including injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), the dapivirine vaginal ring, and oral PrEP. WHO is urging governments and partners to fast-track national distribution plans and collect data on real-world impact.
The global health agency issued the endorsement as new infection rates remain high. In 2024 alone, 1.3 million new HIV cases were reported. WHO stressed that key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, those in prisons, and adolescents remain the most affected.
In Kenya, Lenacapavir will be added to a broader prevention strategy that includes oral PrEP, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), male circumcision, and condom use promotion.
To support the rollout, WHO recommends that delivery models be simplified through multi-month dispensing and easier access via pharmacies, clinics, and community-based outlets.
Globally, 39.9 million people are living with HIV. Though PrEP uptake has grown significantly from 200,000 users in 2017 to 3.5 million by 2023 the world remains far from its target of 10.6 million users by the end of 2025.
Kenya’s inclusion in the early rollout signals international recognition of its HIV response infrastructure. NASCOP and other local stakeholders are now working to ensure Lenacapavir reaches those most at risk, with the aim of accelerating progress toward ending new HIV infections.
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