Samson Mutua becomes first Kenyan to get six-month HIV injection

A quiet but powerful moment unfolded at Riruta Health Centre when 27-year-old delivery rider Samson Mutua became the first Kenyan to receive the groundbreaking six-month HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir.

For Mutua, a community health promoter from Kawangware, the decision was deeply personal. As someone who understands the daily realities young people face, he knew how difficult it can be to consistently take oral PrEP pills every single day.

“I feel protected. I feel good about it,” he said moments after receiving the injection. “It removes the stress of remembering a pill every day.”

The historic rollout was witnessed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who described the injectable as a major milestone in Kenya’s fight against new HIV infections. The Ministry of Health Kenya has announced that the long-acting injection will be offered free of charge in selected public health facilities to eligible HIV-negative individuals.

Unlike daily oral PrEP, Lenacapavir is administered just twice a year, offering sustained protection and renewed hope for thousands at risk.

As he walked out into the busy streets of Nairobi, Mutua carried more than relief — he carried a message of possibility. In a country still battling new HIV infections, his bold step signals a new era where prevention is not just available, but easier and more empowering.