Kenya is set to introduce a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection that will be administered twice a year, offering a new tool in the fight against the spread of the virus. The long-acting injectable, known as cabotegravir (CAB-LA), will be available at a subsidized cost of Ksh 5,400 per person per year — equivalent to Ksh 2,700 per dose.
This injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, especially among high-risk groups. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, which require strict adherence, CAB-LA offers a more convenient alternative by requiring just two injections annually. Studies have shown it to be more effective in reducing HIV risk due to better adherence and longer-lasting protection.
The rollout in Kenya is part of a broader global initiative led by international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention tools in low- and middle-income countries. Kenya becomes one of the first African nations to access this jab following successful pilot programs and regulatory approvals.
Health officials believe the availability of CAB-LA will significantly reduce new infections, particularly among vulnerable populations such as adolescent girls, young women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men — groups that continue to carry a disproportionate burden of new HIV cases in the country.
Dr. Ruth Masha, CEO of Kenya’s National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), said the government is committed to ensuring equitable access to the injection. Discussions are also ongoing to integrate the jab into public health facilities and possibly lower the cost further through government subsidies and donor support.
The introduction of the CAB-LA jab marks a major step forward in Kenya’s HIV prevention strategy, with hopes of accelerating progress toward ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
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