Shortage as State still waits for 334m WB condoms

Keywords: By Elizabeth Mwai and Antony Gitonga

Despite the Government receiving a supply of 20 million condoms, they are scarce in parts of the country.

A survey by The Standard has shown parts of Rift Valley Province listed as HIV/Aids hot spots due to trailer stopovers have no condoms.

Kenya Medical Supplies Agency Chief Executive Officer John Munyu yesterday confirmed that although they have received a supply, they were not enough to reach all affected parts of the country. "Prior to arrival of this batch we were very low on condoms, and we are yet to go back to our normal levels," said Dr Munyu.

Munyu said World Bank had pledged to supply 334 million condoms in bits. "Until we have all the condoms promised by World Bank, we will still be a bit low on supply, though the situation is improving".

180 million annually

Munyu said the average consumption was about 180 million annually, but the supply had been erratic this year. In the last few months, the condom stocks have continued to dwindle, exposing the most at risk population like female sex workers to the HIV virus.

Sex workers in Naivasha, for instance, said they had not been able to access condoms and were engaging in unprotected sex because their clients refused to buy.

HIV prevalence among sex workers is 33 per cent, which is five times the national prevalence.

Considering that studies have shown that most of their partners are married men, the rate of infection owing to the scarcity may have risen.

The Kenya Aids Indicator Survey, 2007, shows that 44 per cent of the new infections are occurring among married couples.

Munyu said following the crisis the World Bank stepped in and has since made good its promise with the first batch of condoms arriving this month. The Kemsa boss said the remainder would arrive in batches to have a smooth process of clearance at the points of entry.

At the same time, Munyu said some three million female condoms have been promised, with 1.5 already having been delivered and are under distribution.