Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Wednesday, January 4, refuted claims that condom shortage had hit the country.
In an interview with the press, the CS maintained that the Kenyan market had a surplus of 38 million condoms.
She explained that the shortage in health facilities and other public institutions had been caused by a lapse in the distribution process between the government and the institutions.
Further, she allayed any fears of any shortage in the coming months.
"I would like to clarify to Kenyans that we do not have a shortage of condoms in the country. As of this morning, we have 38 million pieces. Vis-a-vis the population, I can say we are overstocked.
"We have a challenge on how these condoms get to Kenyans because of the process that health facilities have to request them. They are consolidated from the county and that is set to KEMSA," she stated.
Additionally, she unveiled a new model of distribution to ensure that Kenyans received protective gadgets on time which was being crafted by the government.
On the other hand, she asserted that the 38 million condoms - that were due for distribution - were of quality amid concerns from a section of Kenyans.
"38 million pieces have been confirmed to be of quality and ready for use. We shall work with the counties to ensure that the orders are delivered on good time," she stated.
The CS also revealed that the government would deploy 800 interns to various health facilities in the coming days to ensure that patients received medical attention. This she stated would address the shortage of medics in various health facilities.
Nakhumicha's statement barely came days after Kenyans lamented about the absence of condoms in various public dispensers and health facilities.
Notably, a section of healthcare stakeholders and Kenyans had raised concerns over the shortage given the rising rate of HIV infections in some parts of the country.
