Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has warned against the use of modern contraceptives, alleging they are being used as a tool to control Africa’s population.
The Senator said a woman should have at least three children before considering birth control methods.
Speaking during the Senate proceedings on Thursday, Khalwale said that although modern contraceptives are widely used by women in Kenya, there is a pressing need for greater public awareness and education on their impact and effects.
The senator was responding to a call by his colleague Senator Hamida Kibwana, who called on the government to strengthen access to contraceptives to curb the rising cases of unintended pregnancies and abortion-related complications.
Khalwale countered Senator Hamadi and challenged her to use the resources to ensure that access to contraceptives is not misused, abused, and misunderstood.
''Contraception by way of modern methods is foreign to us, the owners of those methods, who had an original intention of controlling the population of black Africa. Therefore, as we allow our women access to these contraceptives, we must accompany it with adequate education,'' the senator revealed.
Sounding an alarm on the effects of fertility on women, Khalwale alleged that before a woman can start using modern contraceptives, they must first have a minimum of three children to caution themselves from the threat of failing to conceive.
''I firmly believe that a woman who should take contraceptives should first have a minimum of three children,'' the doctor alleged.
The senator, who is also a medical doctor, is advocating for the use of traditional contraceptive methods, emphasising their role in preserving cultural rights and supporting family care to help women prevent unintended pregnancies.
Modern contraceptive use in Kenya has grown significantly over the years, more women are adopting family planning methods to manage and prevent unintended pregnancies.
While it is being actively used, there are fears among women about the side effects of these modern contraceptives.
Research indicates that contraceptive discontinuation is common among women who experience side effects, leading to concerns about long-term fertility.
Some women report delayed conception after stopping certain contraceptives, particularly injectables, which can take months for fertility to return to normal.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is working to expand access to modern contraceptives.
