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NAIROBI. – The health authorities in Kenya have urged people to use other alternatives as the country is experiencing a shortage of condoms.

Restaurants, hospitals and other public facilities have not had free condoms in their toilets for people to take.

The Ministry of Health has said it is committed to addressing the shortage as soon as possible. A government agency, the National Aids and STIs Control Programme (Nascop) has expressed concern over the shortage.

The shortage has been attributed to high taxes imposed on condoms even though they are usually donor funded.

Earlier this year, a tax dispute between the government and donors who import anti-HIV drugs led to a shortage of the commodity.

Kenya needs 455 million condoms annually while the government only provides 1.6 million per month.

Last year, about 20 million condoms were distributed to Kenyans for free under a programme funded by the Global Fund and the United Nations Population Fund.

The last time the government procured condoms was last year, exposing vulnerable groups such as teenagers, who cannot afford to buy the commodity, to the risk of unwanted pregnancies, HIV/Aids and STIs. – Daily Nation