Video: Male contraceptive pill to be introduced in Kenya

Kenya has been selected to take part in a global study that involves the male contraceptive pill.

Four other countries; United Kingdom, Italy and Chile, will also be part of the research that requires men to take the pill once a month.

The National Institute of Child Health and Development created the pill to encourage use of contraceptives among men.

According to the American-based company, a man who takes the pill should expect to have reduced sperm count within 72 hours, reducing the probability of conception.

The pilot study is expected to run for four years with experts saying that the contraceptive concept requires collective effort from across both genders to achieve the desired 70 percent prevalence rate.

“We need to start having conversations about demystifying gender norms because there is a myth that contraceptives are only for women,” said Mr. Johnstone Kuya, National Program Coordinator at the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Association (SRHR).

Though there is a push for Kenyans to accept the pill, critics are raising questions over the moral implications of exposing youths to contraceptives which they say may increase their sexual activity.

Family planning methods were first introduced in Kenya in 1967. The pills gained ground in 2004 soliciting mixed reactions from both men and women.

A recent study shows that fertility rates have decreased from an average of eight children per woman in 1978 to four last year. Kenya’s population is expected to rise from 48 million this year to 50 million in 2050.