Kenya will begin rolling out Lenacapavir, a World Health Organisation-approved HIV preventive drug, in 2026 to allow time for the development of national rollout guidelines and determination of eligibility criteria.
According to Health Director General Patrick Amoth, the delay will give the Ministry of Health time to revise existing HIV prevention protocols, train healthcare workers, and plan logistics for distribution and storage. "It is a new aspect in terms of our prevention strategy, and we are glad that we are among the first countries to adopt it," explained Amoth.
While commending Kenya's progress in controlling the HIV epidemic, he noted that new infections, especially among young people, remain a challenge.
Health Ministry to draft guidelines on rollout and eligibility for WHO-approved HIV drug Lenacapavir, says DG Patrick Amoth pic.twitter.com/aDjR5FWJ18 - The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) July 15, 2025 .Keep ReadingBattle of the bite: Five reasons why you should go for whole fruits not juiceA sip a day: Sedentary non coffee drinkers face 60pc higher risk of death- StudyNutrition: Missing pillar in Kenya's healthcare systemKala-azar: Body-wasting disease, leaves tragedy in its wakeHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on his part, expressed optimism about the drug's impact, saying the ministry had developed an implementation plan through a consultative process and was finalizing national guidelines to support a smooth scale-up. "The ministry is mobilizing the necessary system and resources to guarantee the timely availability of this life-changing intervention.
