Every morning, Lucy Wanjiru, 36, arranges tomatoes and sukuma wiki on a wooden stall along Naivasha Road in Kawangware, Nairobi. The business has kept her household running as she is a mother of four. Lucy noted that the pressure of providing for her children forced her to make a decision she had postponed for years.
“I was not planning to get another child, but I was always afraid of family planning. At the same time my husband would have not allowed me to make such a decision,” she said.
In 2022, Lucy mentioned that she got an unplanned pregnancy. The experience pushed her to seek a long-term solution. During a visit to Kawangware Health Centre, she opted for a contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT), a Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive inserted under the skin of the upper arm and effective for up to three years.
“Since then, my life is calm. I can plan my business, finances and my energy,” she noted.
Lucy’s decision was not made in isolation. Her husband, Samuel Kariuki, a casual construction worker, admitted that he initially opposed the decision.
“I had heard that implants have strong side effects. At first I had said no,” he explained.
It took counselling by a community health volunteer in Kawangware attached to the health facility where his wife had visited for him to change his mind.
“I now acknowledge the financial relief that came with the choice we made. Such household conversations are central to increasing acceptance of long-acting methods, particularly in communities where misinformation spreads quickly,” said Kariuki.
Amina Hassan, 50, a tailor based in Kawangware Stage 2, recalled a time when family planning played a critical role in shaping her reproductive choices. Before menopause, Amina said that she opted for a contraceptive implant after realizing she needed time to recover physically and financially before considering another pregnancy.
“At the time, I wanted to wait before having another child. The implant gave me a sense of control during a period when balancing work and motherhood was demanding,” she noted.
Amina shared that the implant allowed her to focus on raising her children and growing her tailoring business without the constant worry of an unplanned pregnancy.
Looking back, Amina described the decision as an important part of her pregnancy journey, one that enabled her to space her children safely and plan her family according to her own circumstances.
Modern Contraception Uptake
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), Kenya has seen a steady rise in modern contraceptive use.
About 57 percent of married women are using the modern contraceptive methods, including implants and IUDs which are increasingly chosen over permanent surgical options like sterilisation.
In the 2022 KDHS report, the most used modern family planning methods, among married women were injectables (20%), implants (19%), pills (8%), IUD (4%) and bilateral tubal ligation (female sterilization) and male condoms (2% each).
The number of people seeking modern birth control procedures in Kenya rose by 11.6% in 2024, according to the economic data of Kenya conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
The survey indicated that approximately 1.9 million people adopted various modern contraceptives with implants and IUDs accounting for a large share of new long-acting users.
Expert Insights on Modern Forms of Contraception
Dr. Alice Otieno, a reproductive health specialist at Nairobi Hospital shared the importance of modern forms of contraception.
“Long-acting contraceptives are highly effective, and when communities understand their benefits, uptake increases,” she explained.
“These methods remove the daily burden of contraception and provide reliable, long-term protection,” she added.
She noted that education and counselling are critical especially when women and couples receive accurate information and support. Through this they make choices that align with their reproductive goals.
Challenges facing the Uptake of Modern Forms of Contraception
Despite the increased rate of uptake of modern family planning methods in Kenya, challenges exist.
Dr. Otieno pointed out systemic issues including stockouts at facilities, provider training gaps, and cultural norms that limit access and trust in long-acting options.
“We need to invest not just in supplies, but in community engagement and provider capacity,” she emphasized.
Government Commitments on Modern Forms of Contraception
Kenya’s National Family Planning policy promotes voluntary access to a full range of modern contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible options.
Under the country’s commitments to universal health coverage (UHC) and global family planning goals, public facilities are expected to provide implants at little or no cost.
These commitments align with Kenya’s International obligations under global family planning frameworks, which emphasize informed choice, affordability, and quality service delivery.
As urban informal settlements like Kawangware continue to report higher levels of unintended pregnancy, driven by poverty, inconsistent access to services, and social barriers, Dr. Otieno urged women and men to consider long- acting methods of contraception to protect their future.
