NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 16 – Just a day before lovers celebrated Valentine’s Day, a different kind of celebration unfolded at the Mathare Youth Sports Association grounds, where the International Condom Day was marked, that is aimed to promote safe sex and responsible relationships.
Bringing together young people, parents, and health advocates and experts, the event created a safe space for candid and educational conversations about protection and sexual well-being.
It was spearheaded by officials from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), and youth leaders, among others.
The event advocated for free access and safe use of this tool, which has, for decades, stood out as one of the most effective and accessible tools to prevent HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy, particularly among young people.
Samuel Kinyanjui, AHF Kenya Country Director, stressed the need to utilise condoms even as other tools, such as PrEP for HIV prevention, emerge.
While applauding advances such as PrEP in preventing HIV, he cautioned that overreliance on a single prevention method was leaving young people susceptible to other infections.
He warned that sexually transmitted infections, particularly syphilis, are spiking globally, and according to him, condoms remain one of the most affordable and accessible defences.
“Confidence is sexy. Protecting your teammate—your partner—is sexy. Walking around knowing you are 100% in control of your health? That is the ultimate flex,” Kinyanjui said.
Beyond individual responsibility, Kinyanjui has called on governments to take action to improve condom accessibility in the country.
According to Kinyanjui, countries should promote free access to these tools and remove taxes on them.
“Progress is fragile. We didn’t fight the HIV pandemic for decades just to concede a goal now because we got comfortable. You don’t need a complex new tactic to win this one. You need the tool that is proven, practical, and fits in your pocket,” he said.
