The Ministry of Health has recommended the registration of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention medicine that requires administration only twice a year, marking a significant advancement in Kenya’s fight against HIV/AIDS.

In a press release posted on his X account on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the recommendation was made through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board following a comprehensive scientific assessment of the injectable antiretroviral medicine for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The medicine will be available in two forms: Lenacapavir 300 mg tablets and Lenacapavir 464 mg solution for injection.

“The Ministry of Health, through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, has recommended the registration of Lenacapavir 300 mg tablets and Lenacapavir 464 mg solution for injection, a long-acting antiretroviral medicine for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP),” Duale stated.

According to the CS, Kenya is among the first African countries to recommend the drug for registration, a move he says aligns with recent global public health guidance, including recommendations by the World Health Organisation.

“Kenya is among the first African countries to recommend Lenacapavir for registration, a decision that… reflects the country’s growing regulatory capacity and leadership in enabling timely access to innovative health technologies of public health importance,” Duale stated.

How the injection works

According to the Ministry, Lenacapavir works by interfering with critical stages of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lifecycle, thereby preventing HIV infection.

“Its long-acting formulation allows it to be administered only twice a year, offering an important alternative to daily oral HIV prevention medicines. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who face challenges with taking pills every day,” the CS explained.

Duale noted that while Kenya has made significant progress in expanding access to daily oral PrEP across all 47 counties, some people experience difficulties with long-term daily pill use.

He suggested that long-acting formulations such as Lenacapavir are expected to help address these challenges by reducing dosing frequency and broadening access to effective HIV prevention.

“Some people experience difficulties with long-term daily pill use due to factors such as pill fatigue, stigma, or challenges with adherence. Long-acting injectable prevention options like Lenacapavir have the potential to address these challenges by reducing how often medicine needs to be taken and broadening access to effective HIV prevention,” Duale said.

Prioritised for initial rollout

The government further revealed that Kenya has been prioritised for the initial rollout of Lenacapavir through global partnerships, with preparatory planning already underway to ensure the medicine is introduced in a timely, equitable and responsible manner, particularly for populations at substantial risk of HIV infection.

Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding HIV prevention options and reducing new HIV infections as part of the national goal of ending HIV as a public health threat.

“The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to expanding HIV prevention options, reducing new HIV infections, and advancing the national goal of ending HIV as a public health threat, while ensuring that all health products introduced in the country meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness,” he said.