Kenya Moves to Approve Long-Acting HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir

The Ministry of Health, through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), has recommended the registration of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug, for use in Kenya.

The drug includes Lenacapavir 300 mg tablets and Lenacapavir 464 mg injection. It is used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which helps prevent HIV infection in people who are at high risk.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said on Friday, January 9, 2026, that the recommendation followed a thorough scientific review of the drug’s safety, quality, and effectiveness. The assessment was done in line with Kenyan law and international health standards.

Kenya is among the first African countries to recommend Lenacapavir for registration. The move follows recent guidance from the World Health Organization and highlights Kenya’s growing role in supporting access to new and effective health technologies.

Lenacapavir works by blocking key stages of the HIV life cycle, preventing the virus from establishing infection. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, the long-acting drug is given only twice a year, making it a suitable option for people who struggle with taking daily medication.

CS Duale said Kenya has made strong progress in expanding access to daily oral PrEP in all 47 counties. However, some users face challenges such as pill fatigue, stigma, and difficulty sticking to daily treatment. He noted that long-acting injectable options like Lenacapavir can help overcome these challenges by reducing how often medication is taken.

Kenya has been selected for the initial rollout of Lenacapavir through global partnerships. The Ministry of Health is already preparing to ensure the drug is introduced in a timely, fair, and safe way, especially for populations at high risk of HIV infection.

“The Ministry of Health remains committed to expanding HIV prevention options, reducing new HIV infections, and working towards ending HIV as a public health threat,” Duale said, adding that all medicines approved for use in the country must meet strict safety and quality standards.