Kenya is set to mark World Contraception Day in Makueni County today Friday, September 26, 2025, with health leaders reaffirming commitments to expand access to family planning and calling for stronger investment, inclusivity, and innovation in reproductive health.
During a stakeholder briefing ahead of the commemoration, Dr Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that contraception is central to dignity, freedom, and opportunity.
He outlined Kenya’s family planning programme, which aims for a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 64 percent by 2030 and 70 percent by 2050. Dr Serem stressed the importance of sustainable domestic financing, noting that international donor support has been steadily declining.
According to government data, contraceptive use over the past decade has prevented an estimated 2.4 million unintended pregnancies, more than 600,000 unsafe abortions, and at least 10,000 maternal deaths. Despite these achievements, the unmet need for contraception remains at 14 percent, while teenage pregnancies and regional inequalities continue to hinder progress.
Dr. Serem pointed out that fertility rates remain higher in rural areas compared to urban centres, highlighting gaps in access to services. “The Ministry is rolling out innovations to improve availability and uptake, including self-administered injectables, long-acting intrauterine devices that provide protection for up to eight years, and greater integration of postpartum family planning to ensure women receive options immediately after delivery,” he disclosed.
He further revealed that digital platforms are being leveraged to provide reproductive health information, particularly for youth, while supply chain systems are being strengthened to prevent stockouts. Continuous training of healthcare workers is also underway to improve counselling and service delivery.
Even with these advances, Dr. Serem admitted that counties still face significant challenges, with shortages of commodities sometimes forcing women to leave health facilities without their preferred method. He affirmed that the Ministry is advocating for increased domestic financing to reduce dependency on donors and is pushing for larger budgetary allocations through the Primary Health Care Fund, which strengthens lower-level health facilities. Engagement with the private sector is also being encouraged to sustain supply chains and expand affordable access.
“Kenya is not a poor country. The challenge is reallocation and prioritisation. We are engaging Parliament to ensure family planning is well funded,” Dr. Serem explained.
He noted that maternal and infant mortality remain linked to unintended pregnancies and limited access to modern contraceptives. Health leaders therefore called for stronger partnerships, sustainable funding, and continued political will to address these issues.
Teenage pregnancy was singled out as a particularly urgent challenge, with some counties reporting that nearly one in five deliveries involves adolescents. Nationally, 15 percent of adolescent girls are affected, with wide disparities across counties.
“Our strategy focuses on empowering adolescents with information, integrating sexuality education into the curriculum, and ensuring back-to-school programmes for teenage mothers,” Dr. Serem said.
Development partners acknowledged Kenya’s progress but raised concerns over high taxation of commodities such as condoms, which limits affordability for low-income and vulnerable groups. They also urged the government to clarify policies on service provision for adolescents under 18, noting that confusion among healthcare workers over parental consent requirements often prevents young people from accessing contraception.
Dr. Serem acknowledged these concerns, reiterating that while minors require parental consent by law, efforts are being made to expand access to information and services in safe and youth-friendly settings.
The commemoration in Makueni is expected to bring together health professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and development partners. Organisers expressed hope that the event will not only celebrate progress but also renew commitment towards eliminating unmet need for contraception.
“As we gather in Makueni, our message is clear: contraception is a choice, a right, and a pathway to a healthier and more equitable society,” stated Dr. Serem.
In his remarks, Makueni County Director for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, welcomed stakeholders to the county, describing the event as an opportunity to showcase local progress.
“Makueni was among the first counties to pilot the Postpartum Family Planning project, ensuring women have access to contraception within 48 hours after delivery and during the first six months post-delivery,” Dr. Mwatha explained.
He also highlighted the county’s use of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and its unique engagement of male champions in family planning advocacy. “For a long time, we left women to make this decision alone. In Makueni, we are intentionally involving men as partners in family planning,” he said.
Dr. Mwatha further noted that the county has established a dedicated budget line for family planning and introduced a mentorship programme to build healthcare worker capacity. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, including inconsistent supplies of commodities, rising teenage pregnancies, and maternal mortality.
“About 17.9 percent of women delivering in our facilities are teenagers, which signals a serious gap that needs urgent action,” he added.
Community leaders echoed these concerns. Area Administrator Charles Okumu called for targeted interventions for vulnerable groups such as street families. “Street children also need access to contraception. They live among us, and we must ensure they are not left behind,” he stressed.
As Kenya prepares for the national commemoration in Makueni, stakeholders reaffirmed the country’s FP2030 commitments. These include reducing teenage pregnancies from the current 15 percent, narrowing the unmet need for contraception, increasing domestic financing, and promoting male engagement to transform gender and social norms around family planning.
Family planning is framed not only as a health intervention but also as a driver of economic growth, gender equality, and social stability. By ensuring that every Kenyan can access safe, affordable, and effective contraceptives, the country aims to secure healthier families, reduce poverty, and build a stronger future.
The discussions concluded with a unified call to action for government, partners, and communities to eliminate cultural, financial, and systemic barriers to reproductive health.
by Mary Ndanu & Lucy Mwende
