The National Syndemic Disease Control Council CEO Ruth Laibon-Masha and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris during the International Condoms Day in Nairobi on February 13, 2024
Nairobi Woman Representative has pledged to move a motion in Parliament to ensure condoms donated to the country are not taxed by the government.
This comes amid concerns from civil society that imposing taxes on condoms has led to shortages in the country, hence hampering the fight against HIV/AIDs.
The taxes imposed on donated condoms have seen some donors withdraw their support and divert their consignments to other neighbouring countries.
Speaking during International Condoms Day on Tuesday, Passaris said she will rally Parliament as it resumes sittings this week to ensure condoms are zero-rated.
She said even though the government is looking for taxes to finance its development agenda, it was unreasonable to impose taxes on donations of condoms.
Passaris noted that condoms are not only meant to save lives but also play a vital role in preventing unwanted pregnancies and can prevent STDs and HIV.
“I am making to make it my agenda to ensure that we remove the taxes on donations of condoms that come to this country. If the condoms are coming free then we have to make sure we zero rate the tax,” Passaris said.
“As a government much as we know we are looking for taxes to be able to provide the many services the government has on its agenda, I think we cannot tax things that could end up killing us if we don’t have them.”
According to AIDS Healthcare Foundation Kenya country director Samuel Kinyanjui, the country faces a shortage of condoms with the current provision being at 150 million per year against the 450 million requirement.
This, he said, is due to the taxes imposed by the government on donated condoms which has made it difficult for donors.
“Donors are now saying they can’t be donating free condoms, transporting to the country for free, giving funding for distributing and the government will be asking for tax,” Kinyanjui said.
The National Syndemic Disease Control Council CEO Ruth Laibon-Masha said despite having a condom in use for a long time, there is still a stigma around it.
She noted that the war against HIV/AIDs in the country cannot be won unless condom use is embraced.
She said it is the only tool that prevents pregnancies, STDs and HIV.
“We have the potential to ensure that every sexually active person can be able to choose to have a condom and use it,” Masha said.
International Condom Day is celebrated on February 13 to bring visibility back to the safe, inexpensive and highly effective tool to prevent transmission of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies.