Tiko proudly celebrates a historic milestone for public health. This week, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially launched the national rollout of Lenacapavir – a groundbreaking, long-acting HIV prevention injection-at Nairobi’s Riruta Health Centre, a flagship Tiko partner facility.
Tiko applauds the Kenyan government for becoming the first in East Africa to launch Lenacapavir. Some Tiko partner facilities across 15 priority counties have been selected for the first phase of this rollout, demonstrating the Ministry of Health’s bold commitment to reaching girls where they are.
This rollout follows the World Health Organization’s July 2025 endorsement of Lenacapavir, a move Tiko welcomed as a critical turning point for the continent. Now, through this phased government plan, that global endorsement is becoming a local reality.
The introduction of Lenacapavir is a vital response to the “triple threat” facing girls and young women in Kenya : new HIV infections , unintended pregnancy, and sexual violence. With nearly two thirds of new adult HIV infections in Kenya occurring among adolescent girls and young women, the need for highly effective PrEP options has never been more urgent.
Lenacapavir transforms the landscape for girls by offering:
- Near-100% Protection: Clinical trials have shown Lenacapavir to be the most effective PrEP l method available to date.
- Discretion and Autonomy: A twice-yearly injection eliminates the “pill burden” and the stigma often associated with daily oral PrEP.
- Freedom from Daily Adherence: Busy lives, privacy concerns, and social pressures no longer need to be barriers to staying safe.
“This is a great moment for HIV prevention in Kenya,” said Dr Celestine Mugambi, Tiko’s Kenya Country Director in response to the launch. “It gives choice and hope to the most vulnerable girls in our communities. We are empowering them to take control of their health without fear or stigma. We are honored that some of our clinics have been chosen to help lead this charge and remain a committed partner to the Ministry of Health as we collectively work together towards an HIV-free generation by 2030.”
Tiko is committed to ensuring that girls and young women in Africa are aware of and can access injectable PrEP such as Lenacapavir and other prevention options at no cost and without stigma. Of the nine countries highlighted by the Global Fund for rollout, five – Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia – are countries where Tiko is increasing girls’ access to free HIV care in their communities.
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