This archive report was first published on 3 July 2021.
Kenya Condom Shortage: Tax Dispute with Donors Exacerbates HIV Prevention Efforts ¶
Published on July 3, 2021
Kenya's HIV prevention efforts are under threat due to a severe condom shortage, which has been exacerbated by the government's tax dispute with donors.
The country's HIV prevention campaign relies heavily on donor support to procure condoms, with the Global Fund and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) being key contributors. However, the government's decision to tax donations has led to a stock-out of condoms, leaving many facilities and individuals without access to these essential commodities.
Dr. Samuel Kinyajui, Country Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, confirmed that the government has not purchased any condoms this year, and the stock currently being distributed was shipped in 2019. He attributed the stock-out to the government's demand for taxes on donations, saying, "But honestly, why do we have to tax commodities that are given to us for free? If we continue like this, we are going to have more problems because as a country we are not able to fund our health system. We should decide whether we want condoms or taxes because once the donors withdraw, then we are doomed."
The shortage has been reported in various parts of the country, including Nairobi's Central Business District, where public toilets have been left without supplies. Monica Gitau, an attendant at one of the facilities, said, "We don't know what happened. We used to receive them from Nairobi County government, this year, we have not got any supply."
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, all condom dispensing boxes are empty, with a nurse stating, "I don't even know the last time we stocked the boxes, we have not had the free condoms for some time now."
The National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS has also received numerous complaints and requests from community health workers about the condoms. Mr. Nelson Otwoma, the executive director, said, "It's like the people living with HIV are a bother to this government, there is nothing in the hospitals including the test kits for HIV and now crucial commodities like condoms are not available. How do we prevent new infections?"
