Kenya Offers Free 6-Month HIV Prevention Injection

Thousands of Kenyans now have access to a game-changing HIV prevention tool that could protect them with just two shots per year instead of daily pills.

Kenya's health authorities launched free distribution of lenacapavir this week, a long-acting injectable drug that provides six months of HIV protection with each dose. The country joins a small group of African nations pioneering access to this breakthrough treatment, which Science magazine named its "Breakthrough of the Year" in 2024.

Health Minister Aden Duale called it "a moment of hope for thousands of Kenyan families" during Thursday's rollout at Riruta Health Centre in Nairobi. The timing couldn't be more critical for Kenya, where 1.4 million people live with HIV and young people aged 15 to 24 face the greatest risk of new infections.

The injectable works differently than daily prevention pills. Administered just below the skin in the abdomen or thighs twice yearly, lenacapavir offers protection without requiring patients to remember daily medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can safely use the drug, expanding its reach to vulnerable populations who previously had fewer options.

Kenya received its first shipment of 21,000 doses last week through a partnership with manufacturer Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Another 12,000 doses arrive in April, with an additional 25,000 from the U.S. government boosting early rollout efforts.

The drug underwent rigorous testing before reaching Kenyan patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir in June 2025, followed by World Health Organization endorsement at the International AIDS Society Conference in Rwanda that July. Kenya's government confirmed the treatment meets all national regulatory and safety requirements.

Selected public health facilities in priority counties will offer the injection free of charge to eligible individuals. The government established tracking systems to monitor any side effects and ensure patient safety throughout the program.

The Ripple Effect

Kenya's bold move follows similar launches in South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia, which began offering lenacapavir in December 2025. Zimbabwe rolled out its program just last week, targeting more than 46,000 high-risk individuals.

This regional momentum signals a major shift in HIV prevention across Africa, where the disease burden remains highest. By making cutting-edge prevention technology accessible and free, these countries are creating a new model for tackling public health crises in resource-limited settings.

Minister Duale emphasized that innovative prevention options like lenacapavir are essential to reversing transmission trends. With thousands of new infections still recorded yearly in Kenya alone, the twice-yearly injection offers practical hope for populations who struggle with daily medication adherence.

The expansion of accessible, long-acting prevention tools could reshape Africa's fight against HIV for generations to come.