The government has confirmed that it has received 186,072 family planning commodities, funded by the United Kingdom, which will be distributed across the country.
The commodities, which were received by the Medical Services Principal Secretary, Ouma Olunga, at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) headquarters on Wednesday, June 18, include 16,272 sets of Levoplant, 69,800 doses of DMPA-SC, and 100,000 sets of Jadelle.
According to Ouma, the commodities will be critical in averting over 131,000 unintended pregnancies, reducing unsafe abortions, and reducing contraceptive stockouts in healthcare facilities.
The PS confirmed that the commodities were funded through the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and procured through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I extend our sincere gratitude to FCDO and UNFPA for their commitment to strengthening Kenya’s reproductive health services,” the PS said.
“These commodities will enhance contraceptive security across health facilities, reduce the risk of stockouts, and strengthen the reproductive health system. It is estimated that this donation will help avert over 131,000 unintended pregnancies, reduce unsafe abortions, and ultimately save lives,” he added.
Modern contraceptive use in Kenya has grown significantly over the years, with more women adopting family planning methods to manage and prevent unintended pregnancies.
According to the Ministry, the use of these commodities not only empowers individuals to plan their futures well but also contributes significantly to the country’s social and economic well-being.
“Access to voluntary contraception empowers individuals to make informed decisions, reduces maternal and child mortality, and enhances economic stability by enabling families to plan their future,” Olunga said.
However, despite the majority of people viewing the use of contraceptives positively, some Kenyans have voiced opposition. For instance, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, speaking during a Senate proceeding on Thursday, May 16, alleged that contraceptives are being used as a tool to control Africa’s population.
Khalwale claimed that there is an urgent need for public awareness to ensure that the general public is well cognisant of their impacts and their effects.
''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 claimed.
