Health ministry unveils plan for new HIV prevention drug
The Ministry of Health has announced plans to roll out a new long-acting HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, by January 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and signed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the ministry said the drug administered only twice a year would offer a discreet, effective alternative to daily oral PrEP.
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The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Kenya was named among the first nine countries globally selected to introduce the drug.
“Kenya remains steadfast in its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic through innovative, people-centred approaches,” the statement read. “This biomedical breakthrough marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s fight against HIV.”
Lenacapavir, also known by its brand name Yeztugo, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 and endorsed in updated World Health Organisation guidelines released this month.
The drug is particularly aimed at individuals at high risk of infection, including youth under the age of 24, who account for 41% of new HIV infections in Kenya.
“The Ministry is mobilising the necessary systems and resources to guarantee the timely availability of this life-changing intervention,” Duale said in the statement. “We call upon all stakeholders to align efforts, enhance delivery platforms, and support this transformative journey.”
Kenya’s inclusion in the early rollout of Lenacapavir was confirmed by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) in a post on X.
“Kenya has been selected as one of the nine early adopter countries for the rollout of Lenacapavir… In collaboration with various partners, we are actively working to ensure the availability of this innovative product for Kenyans by January 2026,” the statement read.
The Ministry also confirmed that it is finalizing national guidelines and coordinating with local and global stakeholders to integrate Lenacapavir into Kenya’s HIV response strategy.
Kenya has an HIV prevalence of 3.7% and an estimated 1.4 million people living with the virus.
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William Muthama
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