As Kenya marks International Condom Day, public health experts are sounding the alarm over a deepening condom shortage crisis that threatens to undermine decades of progress in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations.
Despite ongoing efforts to expand access to sexual health services, current data on condom distribution highlights a stark gap between national demand and actual supply — a shortfall that experts warn could reverse hard‑won public health gains.
The 2025 Kenya AIDS Response Progress Report reveals that only 35.9 million condoms were distributed nationwide last year, meeting a mere 7 percent of the estimated annual requirement of 489 million condoms needed for effective HIV prevention and reproductive health programs.
This persistent disparity is echoed in projections showing that by 2026 Kenya’s total condom demand likely exceeds 410 million units, driven by population growth and continued emphasis on HIV prevention.
Public health officials emphasize that condoms remain a cornerstone of HIV prevention alongside biomedical interventions such as pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART).
However, the inability to ensure consistent and widespread condom access leaves large segments of the population unprotected, especially in high‑risk settings.
Kenya’s condom supply situation is closely tied to the global funding landscape for HIV prevention. Historically, donor support, particularly from U.S.‑based initiatives and multilateral partners, has underpinned free condom distribution programmes.
However, in recent years, donor contributions have declined, creating funding gaps that impede procurement and distribution.
A 2025 advocacy report by civil society groups noted that donor funding for HIV programmes dropped sharply, forcing public health agencies to scale back free condom distribution.
This has left Kenya facing an annual shortfall of nearly 100 million condoms, with many counties struggling to meet local demand.
Taxation also complicates the market. Condoms are taxed as medical devices — attracting a 16 percent value‑added tax and import duties — which increases retail prices and discourages broader private sector distribution, making them less affordable for lower‑income populations.
Counties with high HIV prevalence, including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Homa Bay, account for a disproportionate share of the distributed condoms, yet even these regions fall short of meeting overall need.