Kenya rolls out twice-yearly HIV prevention shot in Nairobi slum

Kenya has launched the rollout of a groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection in one of Nairobi’s densely populated informal settlements, marking a major step in the country’s fight against new infections.

The rollout began in Kawangware, where health officials administered the first doses of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The drug, given just twice a year, is designed to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV transmission offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral pills.

Speaking during the launch, Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the moment as a significant milestone in protecting vulnerable communities and accelerating progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat.

Lenacapavir has shown remarkable effectiveness in clinical trials, reducing the risk of HIV infection by more than 99 percent when administered as prescribed. Unlike daily PrEP tablets, which require strict adherence, the twice-yearly injection is expected to improve consistency, especially among young people and high-risk populations who may struggle with daily medication routines.

The first recipient of the injection, 27-year-old Samson Mutua, said the new option provides reassurance and greater protection. Another beneficiary, 23-year-old Peace Lawrence, welcomed the innovation, noting that remembering to take daily pills could sometimes be challenging.

Under the program, the injection will be offered free of charge to individuals aged 15 and above who test HIV-negative and are assessed to be at substantial risk of infection. Community health workers are leading awareness campaigns and identifying eligible residents within the settlement.

Kenya received an initial 21,000 doses of the medication through collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and pharmaceutical manufacturer Gilead Sciences. Officials say the program could expand nationwide depending on uptake, funding, and supply availability.

The initiative comes at a time when HIV prevention efforts across parts of Africa face financial strain due to shifting global aid priorities. Health authorities say introducing long-acting prevention tools like lenacapavir could help sustain gains made over the past decade and reduce new infections, particularly among young women and other high-risk groups.

Kenya remains one of the African countries that has made significant progress in reducing HIV-related deaths and expanding access to treatment. However, officials acknowledge that prevention remains critical if the country is to meet its long-term elimination targets.

With this latest rollout, Kenya positions itself among the first countries in the region to deploy the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection in a real-world community setting a move health experts say could reshape the continent’s approach to HIV prevention if successfully scaled.