Women living in rural and marginalised areas are set to benefit from Sh500 million worth of contraceptives and reproductive health supplies donated to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) handed over the supplies to KEMSA for distribution to over 8,000 health facilities across the country.
The medical supplies included injectable contraceptives, male and female condoms, hormonal IUDs (Intrauterine Devices), implants, and oral contraceptives.
The donation which was received by the Secretary-Administration, Moses Mbaruku, on behalf of the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health also consisted of 60,000 sets of Levoplant contraceptive implants procured with financial support from UKAid.
"For Kenya to move from the current modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 57 per cent to the envisioned 64 per cent by 2030, we need to re-double our efforts and stay committed to the Family Planning commodity security," said Mbaruku.
Mbaruku noted that the government has allocated Sh890 million in the current financial year, which will go towards procurement, warehousing, and distribution of contraceptives.
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Data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey key indicator report indicates that injectable contraceptives and implants are the most commonly used contraception methods among women of reproductive age.
Currently, 14 per cent of married women in Kenya aged 15-49 have an unmet need for family planning, which limits their ability to prevent unintended pregnancies and plan their families.
Wide disparities however exist with counties such as Marsabit, Tana-River and West Pokot recording a higher unmet need for family planning at 38 per cent, 37 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.
The supplies will go towards addressing the gap in access to a variety of family planning methods for women living in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Speaking during the handover, UK Deputy High Commissioner and Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, Josephine Gauld, commended efforts by UNFPA and KEMSA in ensuring the delivery of life-saving supplies up to the last mile.
"Family planning is an integral part of the provision of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, and is also central to women's empowerment, reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development," said Gauld.