Kenyans Told To Use Alternative Methods As Shortage Of Condoms Bite

Kenya is facing an acute shortage of both male and female condoms and the government has asked Kenyans to use “alternative methods” as the government tries to “solve the problem” and “address the shortage.” GoK sounded like a joke but it is serious.

The government, however, through the National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NASCOP), failed to list to Kenyans some of these “alternative methods” they should use during sex. Kenyans have been left to innovate and survive.

Kenya needs 455 million condoms annually. The government is only able to provide 1.6 million condoms annually with the rest expected to come from “donors.” The last time the government procured condoms for Kenyans was a year ago.

In the past year, most public health facilities, hotels, and restaurants have been without the free-distributed condoms in their dispensers. This has left many people vulnerable, especially the sex workers who rely on free condoms to carry out their business.

Experts say the shortage has been brought about by the high taxes imposed on the donation of condoms from donors outside the country. Imagine a country that taxes donations, leading to donors fleeing to other countries… This is Kenya for you.

In 2020, at least 20 million condoms were distributed to Kenyans for free under both the Global Fund and the United Nations Population Fund.

According to Catherine Ngugi, the head of NASCOP, Kenya needs at least 460 million shillings to procure at least 1.3 million male condoms and 884,210 female condoms with funding from donors. But even if Kenya got that amount, it is a drop in the ocean.

The cost of producing one male condom is about 430 shillings while that of producing a female condom is about 38 shillings. The government gets them from donors then distributes them around the country for free. Scarier, there are no condoms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) warehouses.

READ MORE: Who Is To Blame For Increased Teen Pregnancy In Kenya?