Kenya among first 9 countries to get new HIV drug by 2026

Kenya has been chosen as one of nine countries to take the lead in introducing lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug that only needs to be injected twice a year.

The Ministry of Health, through NASCOP (National AIDS & STI Control Programme), is working closely 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,” the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program posted on their X account on July 14, 2025.

Lenacapavir, also known by its brand name Yeztugo, was recently approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for HIV prevention. It is the first long-acting HIV prevention injection that only needs to be taken every six months, offering a simpler and more convenient option compared to daily pills.

The announcement was made during the International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) held in Kigali, Rwanda. Experts say this is a big step forward in helping people who may find it hard to take daily medication, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare.

Trials show promising results

Clinical trials have shown impressive results. In one study with over 2,000 people, only two new HIV cases were reported. The drug also gave full protection to women and adolescent girls in Africa who were part of the trial, groups often overlooked in HIV prevention programmes.

The high cost of lenacapavir has been a concern. In richer countries, it can cost up to about Ksh6.5 million per year. But thanks to royalty-free licences given to six generic drug makers, low-cost versions will soon be produced for countries like Kenya. These generics could lower the yearly cost to just around Ksh5,200.

To speed up access, Gilead Sciences, the company behind lenacapavir, will supply the drug to 18 countries, including Kenya, until local manufacturers can keep up with demand.

Kenya currently has about 1.38 million people living with HIV. While the country has made progress in fighting the virus, new tools like lenacapavir could help bring infection numbers down even further, especially among vulnerable groups.

The Ministry of Health says it is committed to ensuring this new drug reaches the people who need it most, as part of ongoing efforts to end HIV as a public health threat.

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