Kenya on Thursday began administering the first doses of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug, in a Nairobi informal settlement.

Lenacapavir, which is taken twice yearly, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent. Although widely described as a preventive shot, it is technically not a vaccine, as it does not train the immune system but works as a long-acting antiretroviral drug.

“Today is a moment of hope for thousands of Kenyan families,” Health Minister Aden Duale said during the rollout ceremony.

Kenya is among nine African countries selected last year to introduce lenacapavir. The drug has already been rolled out in South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia since December.

The country has about 1.3 million people living with HIV, with the highest burden recorded among young people aged 15 to 24.

“Many of our young people still face the risk of infection. This innovation gives us renewed strength in our national fight against HIV,” Duale said, adding that the drug will be provided free of charge to recipients.

Last week, Kenya received its first shipment of 21,000 doses through a partnership involving Gilead Sciences, the drug’s manufacturer, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS.

Community health worker Carol Njomo, who works in Nairobi’s Kawangware area where the first injections were administered, said the twice-yearly shot offers greater privacy compared to frequent clinic visits.

“This is an added protection,” said Samson Mutua, 27, the first person to receive the injection.

The rollout comes amid concerns over funding shortfalls, as recent United States aid cuts have affected HIV/AIDS programmes across several African countries.