Family planning and gender equality at the heart of new health blueprint
A planned family. Ministry of Health says unmet family planning needs remain high among Kenyan women, especially in less educated and low-income populations.
What you need to know:
- Kenya’s new health investment case outlines ambitious goals to reduce maternal and child deaths, boost access to family planning, and enhance nutrition.
- Despite progress in modern contraceptive use and child nutrition, disparities persist across counties.
The new investment case targets maternal, child, and reproductive health improvements through expanded funding and collaboration.
The unmet need for family planning among women in Kenya remains high. This is according to the Ministry of Health. The Kenya Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and NutritionInvestment Case for 2025–30 says some women are still unable to access family planning services because of social, cultural, and religious barriers.
The survey indicates that the unmet need for family planning declines with higher levels of education—23 per cent among women with no education, 15 per cent with primary education, 13 per cent with secondary education, and 10 per cent among those with post-secondary education. It also identifies income as a key factor in reducing the unmet need.
Marsabit, Tana River, West Pokot, Samburu, and Siaya counties have the highest number of women with unmet needs, while Embu, Laikipia, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Machakos have the lowest. Despite this, the report notes that Kenya has made significant progress in improving access to family planning services and outcomes.
The use of modern contraceptives among married women has risen steadily to 57 per cent as of 2022. Injectables remain the most popular method, while the use of implants has shown a remarkable increase—from 1.7 per cent in 2003 to 18.5 per cent in 2022.
Other methods, including pills, intrauterine devices, and male condoms, have shown relatively stable use, while female sterilisation has declined.
Over the next five years, the investment outlined in the plan could save 27,995 child lives, 4,611 maternal lives, and prevent 11,071 stillbirths—a major step toward improving national health outcomes.
In terms of programme allocation, maternal and newborn health accounts for the largest share annually, representing over 40 per cent of the total investment. It is followed by immunisation (18 per cent), child health (over 12 per cent), GBV/GER (eight per cent), and family planning (6.7 per cent). Over 31 per cent of the annual budget will go towards human resources for health.
Other key expenditures include training, capacity building, facility maintenance, advocacy, demand creation, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, a significant portion of the funds will be directed towards medicines, supplies, family planning commodities, and vaccines.
In a joint statement, Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, and Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Public Health, said that collaborative investment in health services by stakeholders will reduce maternal, neonatal, infant, and child mortality, as well as stillbirths.
“The successful implementation of this investment case will lead to improved health outcomes for women, newborns, children, and adolescents—ultimately contributing to a healthier, more prosperous Kenya. Together, we must work in partnership to achieve our shared national and global goals for the health and wellbeing of citizens,” the statement read.
Gains
It is not all gloom, however. The study highlights major gains in child nutrition, showing that Kenya has significantly reduced malnutrition among children under five. The prevalence of stunting declined from 36 per cent in 2003 to 17.6 per cent in 2022, while the rate of underweight children dropped from 19 per cent in 1993 to 10 per cent in 2022.
The rate of wasting also decreased from 7.0 per cent to 5.0 per cent over the same period. However, micro-nutrient deficiencies continue to affect many Kenyans, heightening the risk of illness, developmental delays, and reduced productivity.
Gender-based violence remains a challenge, with 16 per cent of females and 10 per cent of males reporting having experienced physical violence, according to 2022 data. While Kenya has made impressive progress in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition, much work remains to be done to meet national goals and ensure equitable health outcomes for all, the survey said.
