Kenya is set to become one of the first African nations to introduce Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, with a nationwide rollout planned for January 2026. Kenya’s Lenacapavir rollout is a major step forward in its ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS (1,2,3).
What Is Lenacapavir?
Lenacapavir is a novel long-acting medication designed to prevent HIV infection. Unlike traditional daily oral pills, Lenacapavir is administered once every six months via injection, providing a more convenient and discreet option for people at substantial risk of HIV (1,2,4).
“Lenacapavir is the first and only twice-yearly injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine recommended by the World Health Organization” (1).
Important: While Lenacapavir is approved for HIV treatment in some settings globally, Kenya’s Lenacapavir rollout in early 2026 will be exclusively for HIV prevention (PrEP) (1,3,5).
Key Features of the Lenacapavir Rollout
- Long-acting injectable: Administered twice yearly (1,2,5).
- HIV prevention: Used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (1,3).
- Not for HIV treatment yet: Kenya’s initial rollout is not for HIV treatment (1,3).
- Improved adherence: Reduces the need for daily pills, thereby tackling stigma and adherence challenges (4,6).
Kenya’s Rollout Plan
The Kenyan Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), in collaboration with partners including the Global Fund, is finalizing rollout guidelines and training healthcare workers. The plan aims to:
- Expand access to this innovative prevention tool among high-risk populations (2,7).
- Reduce new HIV infections by offering an alternative to daily oral PrEP (1,6).
- Mobilize necessary health systems and resources to ensure timely availability (1,7).
| Milestone | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| WHO guidelines adoption | July 2025 |
| National rollout guidelines | Mid to late 2025 |
| Healthcare worker training | Late 2025 |
| Nationwide rollout launch | January 2026 |
Significance in Kenya’s HIV Response
- Lenacapavir addresses adherence challenges by reducing dosing frequency.
- Offers a discreet and stigma-free prevention alternative.
- Target populations with high HIV incidence, including youth and key vulnerable groups.
- Cost and equitable access, especially in rural and underserved areas, remain key challenges (1,2,4).
Benefits and Challenges
| Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Twice-yearly injection convenience | Cost and affordability concerns |
| Improved adherence and privacy | Healthcare infrastructure readiness |
| Up to 99% efficacy in preventing HIV | Ensuring rural access and monitoring |
What You Need to Know About the Lenacapavir Rollout
- Kenya will roll out Lenacapavir as an HIV prevention injection (PrEP) by January 2026 (1,2,3).
- The rollout follows approval by the US FDA (June 2025) and WHO endorsement (July 2025) (1,5).
- Effective implementation depends on community engagement, healthcare capacity, and resource mobilization (7,8).
FAQs
1. What is Lenacapavir, and how does it work for HIV prevention?
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable antiretroviral drug given twice a year to people who are HIV-negative but at high risk of infection. It works by blocking the HIV’s ability to replicate, offering effective protection as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (9, 11).
2. When will Lenacapavir be available in Kenya?
Lenacapavir is expected to be available in Kenya by January 2026 through select health facilities and community clinics as part of a nationwide rollout plan (9, 10, 15).
3. How is Lenacapavir administered, and what is the dosing schedule?
The drug is administered as an injection under the skin of the abdomen by a healthcare provider, with doses given twice yearly, once every six months (9, 13).
4. What benefits does Lenacapavir offer over traditional daily oral PrEP?
Lenacapavir reduces the daily pill burden, improves adherence by requiring only two injections per year, lowers stigma around HIV prevention, and maintains high efficacy in preventing HIV transmission (9, 12, 14).
References
- Kenya to Roll Out Long-Acting Injectable HIV Prep Lenacapavir By January 2026 – AllAfrica
- Kenya set to receive injectable HIV preventive drug – The Standard
- Kenya picked for early rollout of injectable HIV prevention drug – KBC
- Kenya among countries set to roll out HIV preventive drug Lenacapavir – Citizen Digital
- Kenya to roll out long-acting injectable HIV PrEP Lenacapavir – Capital FM
- Kenya to roll out groundbreaking HIV prevention injection by 2026 – The Star
- Why Kenya will roll out injectable HIV preventive drug next year – The Standard
- Kenya to roll out Lenacapavir HIV prevention injection by 2026 in landmark move – Eastleigh Voice
Note: Kenya’s forthcoming Lenacapavir rollout focuses on HIV prevention (PrEP) and does not currently include HIV treatment, aligning with the latest national and WHO guidance.
