Tampon Shortage Hits the Country for the Sixth Month

There has been an outcry by women on social media avenues on the situation surrounding tampons shortages in the country for the sixth month now. A tweet by Scheaoffer Okore sparked the conversation on what appears to be a wearisome time for many women in Kenya.

Is there a tampon shortage in Nairobi and I’m not talking about the mini ones?

— Scheaffer Okore (@scheafferoo) January 8, 2019

Several women are reportedly saying that they haven’t been able to find the vital feminine hygiene product in shops or supermarkets from as early as October last year. Apparently, the few outlets that have tampons have increased the price due to the high demand.

The situation is projected to worsen as the biting tampon shortage is expected to last for another month as suppliers of the female hygiene products deal with import difficulties. Kim Fay East Africa, local suppliers of Kotex tampons, have attributed the shortages to hitches in the supply of raw materials used to produce the tampons.

Radbone Clark, who import and sell OB tampons, on the other hand, has blamed the shortage of their brand to the slow movement of cargo at the Mombasa Port due to the enforcement of more strict inspection procedures by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

The shortage in the country has driven some women in opting to purchase the products online and in turn incurring ridiculous prices against the normal price.

Tampons are usually the best option for most working women due to the flexibility that allows them to engage in activities and more so, an option for those who get allergic reactions from ordinary sanitary towels. The materials found in ordinary sanitary pads react on many women’s skin because it becomes hot and itchy and very uncomfortable to wear. Tampons allow women to swim and engage in sporting activities even when they are on the flow and this is why they are so important to most women.