Kenya is advancing a shift in the delivery of family planning (FP) services, with efforts to roll out -DMPA-SC-a self injection FP choice whose demand, availability and access is being scaled up through strategic public-private partnerships to push boundaries in ensuring that every woman of reproductive age can access family planning commodity of choice.
According to Dr Estella Waiguru, Department of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health,(DRMNCAH) Ministry of Health(MoH), 6.5 million Kenyan women are currently using modern methods of contraception but the the government has set an ambitious target to increase contraceptive uptake from 58percent to 64 percent by 2030 a goal which will be backed by a multi-sect oral commitment to improve access, affordability, and agency particularly among undeserved population.
“Family planning is not about controlling population—it is about empowering women to space their children and make informed reproductive health choices,” Dr.Waiguru, said adding that as Ministry of Health, “We are focused on bringing services closer to clients and enhancing method choice, especially in hard-to-reach areas.”
Kenya’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county governments, In Supply Health, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), JHPIEGO,PATH and JSI , adopted a public-private approach to scale up the use of DMPA-SC with the majority of FP commodities traditionally channeled through the public sector, but with DMPA-SC pharmacies and community health promoters are now being actively integrated into the FP commodity delivery network.
Dr Waiguru says that MoH and Partners piloted Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate – Subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) in 11 counties .
“DMPA-SC which is packaged in a user-friendly, all-in-one inject device,a is a safe contraceptive , effective, and suitable for a wide range of women—including breastfeeding mothers, women with chronic conditions like HIV/AIDS, and individuals with disabilities.”
She said that DMPA-SC gives women the autonomy to manage their contraception discreetly and conveniently.
According to Dr Johnson Anyona, Supply Chain Manager, In supply Health, DMPA -SC project in collaboration with Access collaboration and other partners focuses on expanding access to and promoting self-injection of the contraceptive DMPA-SC.
He explains that DMPA-SC is a prefilled, subcutaneous injectable contraceptive that will add to the reproductive health choices for women of reproductive age across the country.
“Self-injection after proper training is a liberating option for many women,” says Dr. Anyona, a reproductive health specialist. “It reduces travel time, limits stigma, and offers privacy—especially for women in communities where family planning remains a sensitive topic.”
So far, over 500 healthcare workers and 400 community health workers have been trained across 11 counties to administer DMPA-SC and guide women through the self-injection process. In addition, pharmacists in retail outlets—often the first point of contact for many women—have been equipped to offer counseling and services.
“Pharmacies provide discretion and accessibility,” notes Dr. Anyona “They are critical in reaching young and working women who may not visit public clinics.”
According to Dr Anyona by 2023, average monthly use of DMPA-SC stood at around 25,000 doses. Today, it has tripled to nearly 70,000 doses monthly a strong indicator of growing acceptance and trust.
He explained that the journey to introduce DMPA-SC hasn’t been without challenges. Initially, there was no clear policy allowing self-injection. This was addressed through the registration and official labeling of the product for client self-administration, followed by the development of comprehensive provider and client guidelines.
But challenges persist. Awareness gaps, limited supply chain, financing shortfalls, and fear of self-injection are among the hurdles that remain.
“Fear of self-injection is real. Many women are hesitant despite training,” says Dr. Anyona. “This calls for more targeted demand creation and strengthened counseling by providers.”
Additionally, despite free commodities in the public sector—thanks to government and donor funding—prices in private pharmacies range from KES 500 to KES 1,000, posing a cost barrier for some women.
“The simplicity of DMPA-SC’s uniject device means it’s easier to store, transport, and use—both for health workers and clients. For women who self-inject, instructions emphasize safe storage in puncture-proof containers and responsible return of used devices to the nearest health facility or pharmacy.”
As Kenya pushes forward to meeting its FP 2030 commitments, future efforts focus on unlocking the full potential of retail pharmacies as primary family planning hubs, building stronger public-private linkages for supervision, and eliminating persistent barriers to self-injection.
“Our focus is on client-centered innovations,” says Dr. Waiguru. “When women feel confident, informed, and supported in their reproductive choices, we move closer to universal health coverage and improved maternal health outcomes.”
