Kenya gets $2 million grant for free anti-HIV injections

The Global Fund has committed an additional Sh256 million ($2 million) to support Kenya’s rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir.

Officials made the announcement on Thursday during the national launch in Nairobi.

The six-monthly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was launched at Riruta Health Centre in Nairobi.

Kenya received 21,000 doses early this month, financed by the Fund for Sh370 million ($2.9 million).

Global Fund senior portfolio manager Paul Maccarrick described the moment as historic.

He said the Sh256 million will specifically fund programme activities, including service delivery support, training, community engagement, and systems to ensure eligible beneficiaries can access the drug safely and consistently.

“In the spirit of continuing commitment, Global Fund has directly invested $2.9 million (about Sh370 million) for this initial procurement of the product being launched here today, and a further $2.0 million (about Sh256 million) for programme implementation rollout to ensure access by targeted beneficiaries,” Maccarrick said.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable PrEP administered twice a year.

Health officials say it offers a new prevention option for individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection, particularly those who struggle with adherence to daily oral medication.

Maccarrick said the launch goes beyond science.

“It also demonstrates the strength of global partnership, particularly the collaboration among the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and Gilead Sciences to ensure this life-saving innovation is delivered at a more affordable and accessible price,” he said.

“Such collective action is essential if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat.”

Kenya becomes one of the first countries in the region to introduce the injectable prevention option within its public health system, beginning with 15 high-burden counties.

These counties are Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Kajiado, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisii.

The Ministry of Health says the phased rollout will prioritise populations at substantial risk as part of efforts to reduce new HIV infections to zero by 2030.

The Global Fund has been a major financier of Kenya’s HIV response for more than two decades.

“Since 2003, for over 20 years, the Global Fund has stood alongside Kenya as a committed partner in the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria; investing over $2.0 billion (about Sh250 billion) to strengthen HIV, TB, and malaria treatment, care, support, and prevention; as well as systems for health,” Maccarrick said.

Lenacapavir (Len) was launched in Nairobi on Thursday at Riruta Health Centre by Health CS Aden Duale.

The list of select clinics where the injection is available has not been made public. But interested Kenyans in the 15 counties should go to any public health facility, and they will be directed to the nearest clinic for injection, the Ministry of Health said.

Beneficiaries will first be tested to confirm they are HIV negative and must weigh more than 35 kilogrammes.

Duale said the drug has passed all safety and efficacy protocols.

“So no Kenyans should fear hidden costs. It is safe for distribution. The rollout is structured, careful, and guided by medical professionals to ensure those who need it must get it,” he said.

Duale said anyone who has unprotected sex, even once, is at risk of HIV infection and qualifies for the injection.

The country received an initial 21,000 doses to start the programme.

Health prevention and treatment officials said the injectable option is expected to improve adherence because people struggle with daily oral tablets used to prevent HIV, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The injection has already been introduced in Zambia, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe.

On Thursday, 27-year-old Samson Mutua became the first Kenyan to receive the injection at Riruta Health Centre.

Mutua, a water vendor on Nairobi’s Lenana Road in Kilimani and a delivery rider, received two injections of Lenacapavir in the lower abdomen at Riruta Health Centre at 8 am.

Mutua, a single father of two boys, said he wants to remain alive to take care of his children.

After the injections, he swallowed two oral PrEP tablets immediately to ensure day-one protection.

He will take two more PrEP tablets on Friday. After that, he is protected against HIV for the next six months, after which he will return for another double injection.

He will not take any more PrEP pills within those six months.

This approach aligns with clinical guidelines issued for the national rollout.