Kenya to Roll Out Affordable HIV Prevention Jab at Sh5,400 a Year

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Kenya to Roll Out Affordable HIV Prevention Jab at Sh5,400 a Year

Kenyans at high risk of HIV infection will soon be able to get the revolutionary prevention injection at Sh5,400 ($40) a year after a new global deal slashed the drug’s price.

The injection, known as lenacapavir, is a game-changer in the fight against HIV. Unlike daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills, it’s administered just twice a year making prevention easier and more accessible.

Global Deal Cuts Prices

Lenacapavir currently costs $28,000 (Sh3.8 million) a year in the US. But under a new licensing deal announced in New York by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Unitaid, two Indian pharmaceutical companies—Hetero and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories—will manufacture generic versions at a fraction of the cost.

“Scientific advances like lenacapavir can help us end the HIV epidemic—if they are made accessible to people who can benefit from them the most,” said Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the Gates Foundation.

How the Injection Works

Lenacapavir is given as an injection every six months. Clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed it reduces new HIV infections by 96% to 100%, it’s strong protection for people at risk.

The treatment starts with a short course of oral tablets before the first injection, costing less than $17. Experts say its convenience will help those who struggle with daily pill use, stigma or limited access to healthcare facilities.

Kenya’s Rollout Plan

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has already developed a national implementation strategy for lenacapavir. According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, 20,105 Kenyans contracted HIV in 2025 alone, adding to the 1.4 million already living with the virus.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced in July that the country will launch the branded version of lenacapavir in January 2026 supported by the Global Fund. The arrival of generic versions is now expected to make the rollout broader and more affordable.

“The Ministry of Health, through Nascop and our partners, is working to ensure this product is available by January 2026. We are committed to equitable access, community engagement and integrating lenacapavir into national policy to reach priority populations effectively,” Duale said.

Global Push to End HIV

The Gates Foundation has already invested over $80 million to get the drug out the door. Earlier this week Bill Gates committed an additional $912 million to the Global Fund’s 2026–2028 campaign to save 23 million lives from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed the price reduction saying “this is a big leap forward that will help unlock the potential of long-acting HIV medicines.”

Experts think expanding access will transform HIV prevention globally. UNAIDS says only 18% of people who could benefit from PrEP are using it. Wider use of long-acting drugs like lenacapavir could change that statistic dramatically.

“If 20 million people at highest risk—such as young women, sex workers and men who have sex with men—get access to lenacapavir the world could make huge progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030” UNAIDS said.

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Kenya to Roll Out Affordable HIV Prevention Jab at Sh5,400 a Year