Kenya is set to begin a nationwide rollout of a groundbreaking HIV-prevention drug, lenacapavir, starting in March.
The drug offers near-complete protection against HIV with just two injections per year.
Health Minister Aden Duale confirmed that the first phase would cover 15 counties, using the initial shipment of 21,000 doses received through a partnership with the Global Fund.
An additional 12,000 doses are expected by April to expand access.
The drug has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by over 99.9 percent, providing a long-acting prevention option that could transform Kenya’s efforts to curb new infections.
The rollout comes amid changes in US foreign aid priorities, with the United States pledging an additional 25,000 doses to Kenya.
In December, Kenya signed a $2.5 billion bilateral health agreement with the U.S., marking the first major health deal since the dismantling of USAID.
Under the agreement, the U.S. would provide $1.6 billion over five years, while Kenya would contribute $850 million, gradually assuming greater responsibility for its health programmes.
Eastern and southern Africa together account for over half of the global 40.8 million people living with HIV, highlighting the importance of sustained prevention efforts in the region.
While the new initiative is expected to be a major milestone in HIV prevention, the agreement has faced domestic scrutiny, with a Kenyan senator challenging it in court over alleged constitutional violations.
Officials and health advocates hope that the introduction of lenacapavir will provide a safe, effective, and long-term solution to reduce new HIV infections nationwide.
