A couple in Kibra has redefined family planning by embracing it as a shared choice, demonstrating how joint decision-making can strengthen relationships while improving health and economic stability at home.
Amina Abdi, 58, is a mother of ten and a small-scale food vendor near Toi Market in Kibra. Her day begins before sunrise when she opens her business and ends long after dark. “I enjoy doing business as it earns me close to Ksh 2000 on a daily basis,” said Amina.
“I have seven grandchildren who came to visit me this December holiday. My children are grown and independent, so I still have to work to provide for myself,” she explained.
Brave enough to talk about her family planning journey, Amina shared that it was not something she believed in.“I grew up being told that a good woman gives birth when God allows,” she said.
In her early twenties and newly married, Amina narrated that she rejected contraception. She noted that her friends who had tried it warned her of various side effects,while others claimed that their husbands forbade it just as Amina’s.
She explained that even when nurses talked about contraception during her hospital visits, she felt they were encouraging bad behavior. “In my Nubian culture I had been taught that as a woman I must give birth to several kids. Using contraception was seen as immoral in my community,”she added.
Amina mentioned that by her fifth child, her health began deteriorating. ‘I frequently felt tired, financially strained, and I was emotionally overwhelmed but still, the idea of family planning felt wrong,” she said.
“Years later what changed my mind, was a conversation with a friend who encouraged me to seek counselling about family planning. I had a sit down with my husband who at first was not in agreement but later he led the way to find a solution,”explained Amina.
Hassan Abdi,60, spouse to Amina, shared that embracing contraception use in their home was a journey that required unlearning deeply rooted beliefs.
“Growing up, I knew that contraception was a woman’s responsibility and that a man who used condoms within marriage lacked trust in his wife,” said Abdi. He mentioned that repeated pregnancies had negatively affected his wife.
“The turning point came when we attended counselling at a local health facility. It was explained that family planning was about shared responsibility and protecting the well-being of both partners,” asserted Hassan. He added that he was made aware of the use of condoms as a safe and effective method of contraception.
Abdi explained that accepting condom use, was an act of care noting that the decision had improved communication and trust within their household.Both Amina and Abdi now openly support family planning and they encourage spouses to participate.
Culture and Contraception
Elder Musa Abdala,72, a Nubian community leader in Kibra said he had witnessed generations of families navigating the balance between tradition and modern health practices.
“In our community, large families were seen as a blessing and a sign of respect,” he explained. He added that contraception was not a common discussion in homes and women who used it often faced judgment.
Elder Musa emphasized that counseling and community engagement are key. “When men and women learn together and when elders support these conversations, families make healthier choices without feeling they are betraying their culture,” he said.
Why Counselling Matters in Family Planning Decisions
Beatrice Mwangi, a reproductive health specialist at Mbagathi hospital encouraged counselling before making decisons pertaining contraception. “Many couples come to us with biased ideas about contraception,”she explained.
She further mentioned that women often feel it is their sole responsibility to seek for contraception, while on the other hand men resist, believing that using methods like condoms signals mistrust.
Nurse Mwangi emphasized that such beliefs are rooted in cultural norms and misinformation, which can prevent families from making informed decisions.
She noted that counselling plays a crucial role in bridging this gap. “When couples receive accurate information and understand that family planning is about shared responsibility, health protection, and spacing pregnancies, they are more likely to adopt contraception,” she said.
She highlighted that joint decision-making strengthens relationships, improves communication and reduces the physical and financial strain associated with repeated pregnancies.
“Contraception is not just a woman’s duty,” asserted nurse Mwangi. “It is a partnership. Methods like condoms and other reversible options allow both partners to actively participate in family planning, protecting the health of the mother and ensuring better outcomes for the entire family,”she added.
She encouraged more men to engage in these discussions and emphasized that cultural attitudes can evolve through education, counseling, and community dialogues.
Contraceptive Statistics in Kenya
While personal choices of couples like Amina and Abdi highlight how shared decision‑making can transform family life, data shows that family planning is also vital for public health and national development.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022), modern contraceptive use among married women aged 15–49 steadily increased to 57% over the years, reflecting growing awareness and access to reproductive health services. According to the KDHS data, gaps remain where unmet need for contraception persists, particularly among young women, low‑income communities, and those with limited access to health information.
Data from the Ministry of Health revealed that commonly used contraceptive methods in Kenya include injectables, implants, condoms, and oral pills each offering different advantages depending on the couple’s needs and preferences.
