Kenya Facing Condom Shortage Amid USAID Fund Freeze

Due to the funding freeze on United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs, Kenya is facing a looming condom shortage crisis.

The country depended significantly on USAID for its free condom distribution initiative, and counties with elevated HIV prevalence rates noted that their final stock could last only six months if managed effectively.

Three weeks post-President Donald Trump’s freeze order, the impacts are evident, as this year’s International Condom Day lacks the customary flair of condoms meant for distribution to attendees.

There is now a push from stakeholders for a total market approach in which middle- and upper-income Kenyans will purchase condoms at subsidized prices, thereby alleviating the burden on the free condom distribution program.

Caleb Opondi, Migori County Health CEC, stated, “The introduction of heavy taxation on condoms by the government has posed a challenge for us. We continue to appeal to our supplying partners to resolve the issue of intermittent supply.”

Dr. Stephen Ndolo, Director of the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), added, “We are promoting a total market approach, so as you prepare your budget, consider a condom as a self-kit and include condoms in your budget just like you would for other items.”

Kenya has a yearly condom supply of 400 million pieces, with the administration allocating an average of 200 million.

To curb the rising incidence of HIV infections, a program providing free condoms was initiated in 2001. The young people are now demanding urgent measures to address the shortage.

Healthcare stakeholders are urging the zero-rating of essential commodities and increased investment in preventive services to save the country’s health systems, as funding in the space has diminished.