Kenya has received 21,000 doses of the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, set to be rolled out across the country starting March 2026.
Kenya has received an initial shipment of 21,000 starter doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug designed for HIV prevention. This shipment marks the first phase of a nationwide rollout that is set to begin in March 2026, following collaborative efforts with the Global Fund. The Kenyan Ministry of Health emphasized this development as a pivotal step towards enhancing access to innovative HIV prevention methods and aims to bolster the country's fight against the HIV epidemic.
In addition to the starter doses, the Kenyan Ministry of Health is anticipating an additional 12,000 continuation doses by April, which will cater to individuals newly initiated on the drug. Moreover, the shipment further includes 25,000 doses from the United States Government to kick-start the implementation of this initiative. These efforts are structured under the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and will be guided by relevant epidemiological data to ensure effective targeting of resources.
The first phase of the rollout will focus on 15 high-burden counties significantly affected by HIV, with plans for subsequent phases aimed at gradually extending access to more regions across Kenya. This initiative not only marks a significant leap towards innovative HIV prevention strategies in the country but also enhances the broader goal of eliminating the HIV epidemic through tailored public health interventions.
