The civil society group has expressed concern over a looming condom shortage as the Christmas season nears.
The AIDs Healthcare Foundation has said despite Kenya making gains in the fight against HIV/AIDs, there is a high risk of rolling back if condom shortage is not addressed.
They said the Kenyan government procures 150 million pieces against a projected demand of 466 million.
AHF Kenya country director Dr Samuel Kinyanjui said there is a gap of about 112 million condoms, which translates to a budgetary hole of Sh38 million.
"A spot check of many public health facilities, offices, hotels and restaurants confirms they have had no condoms in their dispensers for a prolonged period," Kinyanjui said.
The civil society has blamed the shortage on heavy taxation in the country.
According to Kinyanjui, the current aggregate tax regime slapped on condom procurements is shilling for a shilling.
Kinyanjui also said condoms must be viewed as an investment and not a cost.
“Statistically, with enough condoms, the country will be saved from treating more than 800,000 newly infected persons in the next ten years. Also, up to 5.3 million unplanned pregnancies, 60 per cent of which are teenage, will be averted,” he said.
The director said the cost of treating one infected person every year is about Sh30,000, which is avoidable.
As the search for more preventive technologies such as HIV vaccines and microbicides gathers pace, condoms remain the core preventive measure for many Kenyans.
Prevention remains the mainstay of the response to HIV/AIDS.
United Nations Population Fund says condoms are an integral and essential part of comprehensive prevention and care programmes, and their promotion must be accelerated.
The agency has in the past advocated for the universal availability of condoms, either free or at low cost, and promoted in a way that helps overcome social and personal obstacles to their use.
