Kenya will begin administering the new long-acting HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, on Thursday at 178 health facilities across 15 counties. Marketed as LEN, this injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is administered once every six months, offering a discreet and convenient alternative to daily pills.
Clinical trials demonstrated up to 100 percent efficacy in women. LEN will be rolled out alongside cabotegravir (CAB-LA), another long-acting injectable approved in 2024. These additions expand Kenya’s HIV prevention toolkit, which has included an oral PrEP pill since 2017, providing more choices for those at risk. PrEP is for HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection before potential exposure; it is neither a vaccine nor a cure.
Access requires a mandatory HIV test at the point of care to prevent drug resistance in undiagnosed individuals. Eligibility also includes weighing at least 35kg and disclosing all medications, as drugs for TB or sexual performance may interfere with LEN. Healthcare workers have been trained to assess candidates and manage side effects, which are typically mild and localised.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women can safely use LEN, offering a new method to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The drug is provided free of charge at selected facilities.
