AHF Kenya Country Program Director Dr Samuel Kinyanjui.
Kenya should stop taxing condoms if it is serious about preventing HIV,
other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Health advocates say the government’s decision to impose a 16 per cent Value
Added Tax and additional import duties on condoms since the 2022/2023 financial
year has driven up prices, reduced donations and contributed to severe
shortages in free distribution. Condoms are currently classified as taxable
medical devices rather than tax-exempt medical supplies.
The call to scrap the tax was amplified on Thursday during International
Condom Day celebrations at the Mathare Youth Sports Association grounds in Nairobi,
where officials from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the National Syndemic
Diseases Control Council and county health teams addressed hundreds of young
people.
Speaking on behalf of AHF Kenya Country Program Director Dr Samuel
Kinyanjui, representatives delivered a blunt message: “Condoms are a public
good, not a luxury item.”
“Countries should not tax condoms,” Dr Kinyanjui said in his speech.
“Governments cannot rely solely on the private sector. If you have to choose
between buying airtime or buying safety, we are setting you up to fail.”
International Condom Day is observed every February 13, on the eve of
Valentine’s Day, to promote safer sex and reduce new HIV infections and other
STIs. This year’s event carried the theme “Safer is Sexy, Just Use It!” and
blended football, music and candid conversations about prevention.
Dr Kinyanjui warned that Kenya risks reversing hard-won gains in the fight
against HIV if condom access continues to shrink.
“There is a dangerous play happening right now. Some people think condoms
are ‘old school.’ They think, ‘Ah, we have pills for HIV now, we are safe,’” he
said. “Here is the truth, straight from the coach’s playbook: We are losing
ground — quietly.”
While Kenya has expanded access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which
significantly lowers the risk of HIV infection, Dr Kinyanjui cautioned that it
does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
“While we celebrate wins like PrEP for HIV prevention, we have left our
defense wide open on the other wing. The data is flashing a red card. Sexually
transmitted infections, particularly syphilis, are rising worldwide,” he said.
“PrEP is a fantastic goalkeeper for HIV, but it lets syphilis, gonorrhea,
and chlamydia slide right past into the net.”
He framed the message in language familiar to the young footballers gathered
at the Mathare grounds.
“To the ballers and youths here: You know that in sports, you don’t play
without shin guards. So why play the game of life without protection?” he
posed.
AHF, which provides medical care and services to more than 2.8 million
clients in 50 countries, said condoms remain the only widely accessible method
that simultaneously prevents HIV, other STIs and unintended pregnancy.
Dr Kinyanjui described prevention as the “real MVP” in the HIV response and
warned against complacency.
“Progress is fragile. We didn’t fight the HIV pandemic for decades just to
concede a goal now because we got comfortable,” he said. “You don’t need a
complex new tactic to win this one. You need the tool that is proven,
practical, and fits in your pocket.”
Officials also called for stigma-free conversations about sex and prevention
in homes, schools and churches.
Stephen Muthoka, representing the National Syndemic Diseases Control
Council, urged parents and community leaders to speak openly.
“Talking about sex does not promote immorality,” Muthoka said. “It promotes
informed decisions. HIV is not just in hospitals. It is in our communities.”
He challenged young people to take responsibility for their health.
“Once you use protection, you have power,” he said. “When you protect your
future, you protect your goals.”
Nairobi county health officials at the rally reiterated that condoms should
be free or affordable and widely available, especially for young people who may
not afford them in the private market.
As music played and youth groups shared prevention messages online using the
hashtags #ICD2026 and #SaferIsSexy, the underlying message remained simple and
direct.