The use of contraceptives among Kenyan women, both married and sexually active unmarried, has increased over the last decade. This growth has been driven by greater awareness, increased investment in reproductive health, and improved access to family planning services. According to the latest data from 2019–2020, implants and injectables are the most preferred methods among women. However, unmarried women are more likely to use condoms in addition to other contraceptives.
Despite these advances, unintended pregnancies remain a significant concern. Globally, a large proportion of pregnancies are either unplanned or mistimed. In Kenya, unintended pregnancies account for 41%, with 34% being mistimed and 7% classified as unwanted, according to a report by the Performance Monitoring Action (PMA) under the International Centre for Reproductive Health.
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated access to reproductive health services, leading to disruptions that resulted in approximately 1.4 million unintended pregnancies worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Kenya, healthcare programs were significantly affected for about three and a half months, limiting contraceptive availability and access.
A substantial percentage—75%—of Kenyan women obtain their contraceptives from public health facilities, while 25% rely on private facilities. However, access to contraceptives has been hindered by frequent stockouts. Between 2020 and 2021, about 13% of surveyed health facilities were out of stock of essential family planning supplies.
The most severe shortages were observed in implants, with stockouts reaching 34% between 2019 and 2021. Injectables also faced significant shortages, at nearly 30% in 2021. Male condoms, an essential contraceptive method for many, were also in short supply, with stockouts at 16%. This trend was observed in both public and private facilities.
Income levels also play a crucial role in access to contraceptives. While 81% of wealthier women had their demand for family planning met, only 69% of the poorest women could access the contraceptive methods they needed. This economic disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to reproductive health services.
Kenyan adolescents are engaging in sexual activity for various reasons, with curiosity cited as a major factor by four out of ten teens. Unfortunately, 15.9% reported being forced into sexual activity. Among sexually active teenagers, approximately 64% use some form of contraception.
However, adolescents continue to face significant barriers in accessing contraceptives. The Kenyan Ministry of Health prohibits the provision of family planning services to individuals under 18 years old, and violators face severe legal consequences. Despite this policy, 16% of adolescents reported having discussed family planning with a healthcare provider or community health worker in the past year. Among women aged 20–24, the figure was 34%, while 32% of women aged 25–49 had similar discussions.
The report also sheds light on violence against women and other harmful practices. Despite efforts to eliminate gender-based violence, about 25% of women experienced some form of violence in the past year, with 80% of cases being emotional abuse. Such violence occurs both in intimate and non-intimate relationships.
Interestingly, most survivors—59%—reported their abuse to family members, while 38% confided in their in-laws. Friends or neighbors were informed in 15% of cases, and 14% turned to religious leaders. Law enforcement officials, lawyers, and doctors were only involved in 12% of reported cases, suggesting a reluctance to seek formal intervention.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), over 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion, whether legal, illegal, safe, or unsafe. The high rate of unintended pregnancies underscores the importance of improving access to contraceptives and comprehensive reproductive health education.
The Kenyan government has made strides in addressing the need for family planning services. Dr. Stephen Kaliti, the head of Reproductive and Maternal Health at the Ministry of Health, noted that family planning is critical in addressing social determinants of health. Unmet needs for contraception have declined from 19% in 2014 to 12% in 2021, indicating progress in reproductive health services.
At one point, Kenya had no dedicated budget for family planning, but the government now allocates between Ksh 3.5 billion and Ksh 5 billion annually for such programs. This investment has contributed to increased contraceptive use and greater awareness among women.
The family planning report covered 11 key counties representing Kenya’s diverse demographics, including Nairobi, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Bungoma, Kakamega, West Pokot, Kiambu, Kericho, Kilifi, and Kitui. Researchers obtained insights from the same women and households over three years, tracking progress and examining the factors influencing contraceptive use.
The findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted interventions, particularly for adolescents and low-income women. Strengthening supply chains to prevent stockouts, increasing access to contraceptive education, and addressing societal stigmas surrounding family planning are crucial steps toward ensuring reproductive health rights for all Kenyan women.
As Kenya continues to make progress in family planning, further investment and policy reforms are necessary to bridge the gaps in access and ensure that all women, regardless of age or economic status, can make informed reproductive health choices.
