Health experts in Kenya are warning of a looming disaster due to a chronic shortage of contraceptives, which are important in the fight against HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies. Nairobi youth spreading the AHF International Condoms Day message in the streets of Mathare. The warning comes as the world marks International Condom Day, observed annually on February 13, just a day before Valentine’s Day. Why much condoms does Kenya provide The Kenyan government is the main importer of latex condoms, shipping in about 180 million yearly against a demand of 240 million. As lovers across the country celebrate Valentine’s Day, health experts raised concerns about a potential rise in HIV/AIDS, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies due to a shortage of latex condoms.
The experts attributed the scarcity to a combination of dwindling donor funding for HIV prevention programs and high taxation on contraceptives. Kenya’s condom supply faced an annual shortfall of nearly 100 million condoms. What experts said about 16% VAT on contraceptives The Kenyan government classifies condoms as medical devices rather than medical supplies and therefore taxes them with a 16% added tax. This hampers the private sector and aid agencies from importing the contraceptives. Africa Bureau Chief for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Dr Penninah Lutung said the government and other sector players should reduce barriers to access to condoms in a bid to enhance the war on HIV/AIDs. “We call on governments and stakeholders to remove these barriers, prioritize funding, and ensure free or affordable condoms are accessible to all who need them,” said Dr Lutung in an event attended by TUKO.co.ke.
Speaking at the event commemorating International Condom Day in Nairobi’s Mathare slums on Thursday, February 13, the organization’s Country Director, Dr Samuel Kinyanjui, called for condom access reforms to address taxation and funding challenges. “We propose a system where 50% (200 million condoms) should be allocated for free, non-taxed distribution to lower-income individuals; 40% (150 million condoms) should be socially marketed at a low cost and taxed; and 10% (50 million condoms) can be designated for the premium market without government incentives,” said Dr Kinyanjui. Observed annually on February 13, International Condom Day is a global initiative that promotes condom use as an essential tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies. According to UNAIDS, Kenya has the seventh largest HIV burden globally, out of all new adult HIV infections, 38% are among adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years. About 1.37 Million Kenyans are living with HIV, with 97% receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Why is there condom shortage? This year’s commemoration comes amid declining donor funding for HIV prevention programs. In 2023 alone, organizations reported that donor funding for HIV dropped by $358 million (KSh 46.2 billion), forcing public health programs to scale down free condom distribution. Adding to the crisis, last month, HIV treatment programs and other health services—such as PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief)—were impacted after former U.S. President Donald Trump froze tens of billions of dollars in overseas aid from the United States. Earlier, TUKO.co.ke spoke to one of the HIV/AIDS programme beneficiaries in Homa Bay county, who admitted that the USAID freeze would spell doom for them.
by Wycliffe Musalia Emmanuel Igunza
