Kenya has taken a landmark step in the fight against HIV, becoming one of the first African nations to roll out lenacapavir — a twice-yearly injection that reduces the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent.
The first dose was administered Thursday in Kawangware, a low-income neighborhood in Nairobi, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s public health efforts. Samson Mutua, 27, made history as the first recipient of the shot.
“Today is a moment of hope for thousands of Kenyan families,” said Health Minister Aden Duale at the rollout event. He added that the drug would be provided free of charge to all who receive it.
Unlike a vaccine, lenacapavir does not train the immune system — it works as a chemical drug that suppresses the virus — but its near-total effectiveness has generated enormous excitement across the global health community.
Kenya is among nine African countries selected to introduce the drug, joining South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia, which began administering it in December. The country received its first batch of 21,000 doses through a partnership between Gilead Sciences, the drug’s manufacturer, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS.
With approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV in Kenya — and the heaviest burden falling on those aged 15 to 24 — officials say the rollout couldn’t come soon enough. Community health worker Carol Njomo highlighted that the drug also offers patients greater privacy, eliminating the need for frequent clinic visits.
“This innovation gives us renewed strength in our national fight against HIV,” Duale said.
