In a historic leap toward ending HIV/AIDS, Kenya is set to receive the groundbreaking HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir by January 2026, joining eight other African countries in a move poised to rewrite global HIV prevention efforts.
Thanks to a milestone agreement between the Global Fund and Gilead Sciences, the U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant behind Lenacapavir, over 120 low- and middle-income countries will now access this long-acting injectable drug, marking the first time in history that such life-saving treatment will be introduced simultaneously in both high- and low-income nations.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June, Lenacapavir is taken only twice a year and has already been hailed as one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention in decades.
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Unlike daily oral PrEP pills that can be hindered by adherence issues or stigma, this long-acting injectable offers a powerful, discreet, and affordable alternative.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 39.9 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2023, a crisis that continues to hit sub-Saharan Africa the hardest. Kenya, with 1.378 million people living with HIV according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), stands to benefit immensely.
Lenacapavir belongs to a new class of antiretrovirals called capsid inhibitors, and in a large-scale 2023 clinical trial, it showed nearly 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission. Its arrival could fast-track Kenya’s push to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, a national goal long championed by the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program.
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, emphasized the significance of this moment:
“This is not just a scientific breakthrough, it’s a turning point for HIV/AIDS. For the first time, we have a tool that can fundamentally change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic, but only if we get it to the people who need it most.”
The Global Fund aims to reach at least 2 million people globally with Lenacapavir, prioritizing those in high-incidence countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Beyond the drug itself, the Fund remains committed to a broader prevention strategy including condoms, oral PrEP, and voluntary medical male circumcision, all part of a comprehensive HIV response.
In regions like the WHO African Region, where 1 in every 30 adults (3.4%) lives with HIV, this agreement brings not just medical relief but renewed hope for millions.
Kenya’s inclusion in this historic rollout signals its growing role as a leader in public health innovation and HIV response across Africa. Come 2026, a new era in the fight against HIV/AIDS will dawn, and Kenya will be right at its heart.
