Kenya has been selected as one of nine countries worldwide to lead the introduction of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that requires just two injections per year.
The announcement was made by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) through an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with international partners to make the drug available to Kenyans by January 2026.
“Kenya has been selected as one of the 9 early adopter countries for the rollout of Lenacapavir. @MOH_Kenya through @NASCOP, in collaboration with various partners, is actively working to ensure the availability of this innovative product for Kenyans by January 2026,” NASCOP posted.
Also known by its brand name Yeztugo, Lenacapavir was recently approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first long-acting injectable HIV prevention option that only needs to be administered once every six months. This marks a major advancement for people who struggle with taking daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), especially in remote and underserved areas.
The announcement was made during the International AIDS Society (IAS 2025) Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda. Health experts lauded the drug’s potential to revolutionize HIV prevention efforts, particularly among adolescent girls and women in Africa—groups historically underserved by traditional prevention programs.
Promising Trial Results
In clinical trials involving more than 2,000 participants, Lenacapavir showed remarkable efficacy. Only two new HIV infections were recorded, and women and adolescent girls in Africa who participated in the trials reported complete protection against the virus.
However, the high cost of the drug has raised concerns. In wealthier countries, the annual cost of Lenacapavir can reach Ksh6.5 million. To address affordability, Gilead Sciences, the pharmaceutical company behind the drug, has issued royalty-free licenses to six generic drug manufacturers, which will allow production of low-cost versions for countries like Kenya. These generic versions are expected to reduce the annual cost to as low as Ksh5,200.
In the interim, Gilead has committed to supplying the drug to 18 countries, including Kenya, while local manufacturing capacity ramps up.
HIV in Kenya
Kenya currently has an estimated 1.38 million people living with HIV. While the country has made notable progress in managing the virus and improving access to treatment, Lenacapavir could further reduce new infections, particularly in high-risk populations.
The Ministry of Health has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the drug reaches those who need it most.
“This is a significant step in Kenya’s HIV response. With strategic rollout and support, this long-acting injectable has the potential to protect thousands from new infections,” a NASCOP official said.
Lenacapavir’s arrival marks a turning point in HIV prevention and could offer hope to millions across Africa in the global fight against the virus.
