HIV prevalence in Kenya is about 3.7 per cent.Kenya is one of nine African countries selected to pioneer the rollout, alongside Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, through a funding guarantee from the Global Fund.
Lenacapavir is the first and only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that offers six months of protection per dose.
The World Health Organization endorsed the drug in its updated HIV prevention guidelines released in July 2025.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale previously said Kenya’s roll out will be supported by Global Fund.
“This milestone underscores our collective determination to expand access to effective, discreet, and sustainable prevention options across the region,” Duale said. “There is an urgency for impactful and tailored solutions.”
Kenya’s national HIV prevalence stands at 3.7 per cent, with about 1.4 million people living with HIV. Young people remain disproportionately affected, with 41 per cent of new infections reported among those under the age of 24.
The Ministry of Health says an implementation plan has already been developed through a consultative process with stakeholders, and national guidelines for scale-up are in the final stages.
“We remain committed to ensuring equitable access, strengthening community engagement, and integrating Lenacapavir into our national policies to reach priority populations effectively,” Duale said. “Its integration into our national HIV response strategy reaffirms our commitment to equity, innovation, and community-led health solutions.”
The rollout will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), working with health partners.
Kenya will also benefit from a different funding plan by the Gates Foundation that will reduce the annual cost of the drug to approximately Sh5,400 ($40).
The Gates Foundation and Unitaid announced they will fund two Indian manufacturers of generic drugs ( Hetero and Dr Reddy’s) to produce and sell a generic version of the drug at $40 per person per year.
Experts say lenacapavir can prevent almost all new HIV infections.
The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council estimates nearly 20,000 Kenyans contracted HIV in 2024, adding to the 1.4 million already living with the virus.
Many of these new infections could be avoided if people had easier access to prevention tools. The branded lenacapavir is currently sold in the US at $28,000 (Sh3.8 million), which means the new price for the generic version is a huge drop.
The drug also requires a short oral dose before the first injection, which will cost no more than $17.
“Scientific advances like lenacapavir can help us end the HIV epidemic—if they are made accessible to people who can benefit from them the most,” said Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the Gates Foundation. “We are committed to ensuring that those at highest risk, who can least afford it, aren’t left behind.”
Lenacapavir works as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but instead of taking tablets every day, people will need just one injection every six months. This is a big advantage for people who face stigma, forget to take pills, or struggle to access clinics regularly.
Trials have shown powerful results. The PURPOSE 2 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found lenacapavir prevented between 96 per cent to 100 per cent of all possible new HIV infections.
Unaids says only 18 per cent of people who could benefit from PrEP are currently using them, mainly because they are largely available as pills that must be taken every day.
In 2024, Nairobi recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in the country, according to data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC).
New infections in the capital rose by 19 per cent over the year, increasing from 16,752 to 19,991 cases.
Ten counties - Nairobi, Migori, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Busia, Siaya, Kakamega, Nakuru, Mombasa and Bungoma - accounted for about 60 per cent of all new HIV infections reported in 2024. Nairobi led with 3,045 new cases, followed by Migori with 1,572 and Kisumu with 1,341.
The NSDCC said the concentration of new infections in a small number of counties points to persistent regional disparities and underscores the need for targeted, county-led responses to achieve equitable control of the epidemic.
Nationally, HIV prevalence stood at 3.0 per cent in 2024, with higher rates among women at 4.0 per cent compared with 2.0 per cent among men, according to the Kenya HIV Estimates report released by the council.
HIV-related deaths also rose during the period. A total of 21,007 deaths were recorded in 2024, up from 18,473 the previous year.
“AIDS-related deaths, recorded at 21,007 in 2024, remind us of the need for renewed focus on early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and retention in care,” said Health Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga.
NSDCC data shows that Kenya recorded a 52 per cent decline in new HIV infections in 2025. By the end of 2024, an estimated 1,326,336 people were living with HIV, including 62,798 children.
Young people aged between 15 and 34 years continue to account for the largest share of new infections.
In contrast, several counties — including Elgeyo-Marakwet, Wajir, Mandera, Kisii, Machakos, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Bomet, Baringo, Trans-Nzoia and Laikipia — recorded reductions of up to 75 per cent in new infections.
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