NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted HIV treatment and prevention services despite the recent freeze in foreign aid by the U.S.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo has assured the country that Kenya has sufficient supplies of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and HIV testing kits to sustain treatment for people living with HIV.
Speaking at an event to flag off a fresh consignment of HIV-related medical supplies, Mulongo emphasized that the country’s stock levels are stable and well-coordinated.
“Our priority is, and always will be, to ensure that patients receive quality care, with adequate and readily available commodities,” she said.
Mulongo revealed that Kenya currently has stockpiles of key HIV medications, including TLD—the primary antiretroviral regimen used by over 92% of patients—which will last 4.7 months.
𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐈𝐕 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐒 Nairobi, 14th March 2025 – Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, today flagged off a consignment of essential HIV commodities at the Mission for…
An additional 4.8 million packs are expected by June 2025, boosting central-level supplies to 11 months’ worth of stock.
For pediatric patients, she noted that there are over 326,000 packs of Abacavir/Lamivudine dispersible tablets, sufficient for 7.4 months.
Plans are also in place to introduce a fixed-dose pediatric combination in August 2025, with 18 months’ worth of stock already ordered.
The availability of Nevirapine suspension, crucial for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, remains secure, with 510,000 bottles in stock, covering 8.4 months.
Additionally, Kenya has 8.3 million HIV test kits, translating to 10 months of supply, while 1.48 million HIV/Syphilis duo tests will last 14.5 months.
Mulongo also highlighted the government’s focus on Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and viral load testing.
Over 52,000 EID tests are expected by April 2025, while viral load testing remains a priority, with over 446,000 tests available—equivalent to 3.5 months of stock—with more supplies on the way.
Beyond treatment, the government is ramping up HIV prevention efforts.
Mulongo disclosed that over 1.6 million male condoms are currently in stock, with 9 million pieces recently distributed to health facilities.
A further 28 million condoms will be delivered soon, while 93 million more are under procurement at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Kenya, home to 1.4 million people living with HIV, continues to make significant progress toward eradicating the epidemic.
The country has surpassed the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, reaching 98-98-94, meaning that 98% of people with HIV know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 94% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
The flagged-off consignment, coordinated by KEMSA, MEDS, and the Ministry of Health, will ensure all health facilities remain stocked with critical HIV medications and testing supplies.
Present at the event were Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Mutho, KEMSA CEO Waqo Dulacha, and other senior officials.
