Kenya is on the verge of a historic public health milestone. The Ministry of Health has signaled its intent to approve Lenacapavir, a game-changing injectable drug that offers HIV protection for six months with a single shot. The move could effectively end the era of the daily PrEP pill, which has been plagued by stigma and adherence issues.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha confirmed that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is in the final stages of reviewing the drug, following successful clinical trials that showed 100% efficacy in women. "This is the magic bullet we have been waiting for," she told a health conference in Nairobi.

Overcoming the "Pill Burden"

For young women and key populations, the daily pill is a logistical and social burden. "Hiding a bottle of pills from parents or partners is hard," explained an HIV activist. "A shot you take twice a year changes everything. It makes prevention invisible and private."

• The Cost Hurdle: The main barrier remains the price. While Gilead Sciences has priced the drug at over $40,000 annually in the West, Kenya is negotiating for a generic license to manufacture it locally or import it at a subsidized rate.
• The Rollout Plan: The Ministry plans to prioritize adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in high-burden counties like Kisumu and Homa Bay. If successful, the injection could slash new infections by over 70% by 2030.

A Global Leader

By moving to approve the drug, Kenya positions itself as a global leader in HIV innovation. The "Lenacapavir Era" promises not just to save lives, but to restore dignity to millions who live in the shadow of the virus.