It is 2018, a time where condoms are supposed to be free of charge.
Unfortunately, for a certain boarder town in Isiolo, having condoms is a privilege of a few people. The free condoms are not available, and the sex hungry residents of Archers Post, a small town that sits next to Ewaso Ng’iro River that splits Isiolo and Samburu counties, cannot even buy the commercial ones since they are not there.
However, these guys are keen on having protected sex despite biting condom shortage.
The small town is located in Samburu County and is on the Sh13 billion Isiolo-Moyale highway. The town is known for its tasty nyama choma joints and has experienced rapid growth since it is a transit point to Marsabit County and Moyale town on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The training of military personnel for both local forces and British soldiers has also contributed to the town’s growth.
Archers Post is also a destination for both local and international tourists because of its proximity to national reserves both in Isiolo and Samburu counties.
The town’s growth has come with its share of shortcomings since it has seen a number of young women flock the area to engage in prostitution.
A section of the area residents claimed that the supply of male condoms has been so low that some locals have taken to recycling the rare commodity while others use polythene papers to protect themselves during sexual intercourse.
Years after the introduction of female condoms into the Kenyan market more than a decade ago, much of the adult population in the area is still grappling to understand how to use it unlike the common male condom.
As the residents they joined millions of Kenyans in marking the World Aids Day on Saturday, participants who graced the event pledged to engage in safe sex in bid to reduce the HIV/Aids transmission rates, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies in spite of biting male condom shortage.
According to Mr Julius Lelesit, the area has been hit by rising HIV/Aids cases following influx of people on transit who spend their nights in local lodges, grinding poverty which has pushed girls into prostitution and presence of soldiers who befriend local women while on training duty far away from their families or partners.
Easy cash from sand harvesting, he said, has also contributed to the spread of HIV/Aids.
“The spread of HIV and Aids has been worsened by a section of locals who normally wash used male condoms due to its scarcity especially after the government banned use of polythene carrier bags last year,” said Mr Lelesit.
A few free condoms that cannot even sustain the demand are being sold by individuals who muster the courage to collect them from dispensers in health facilities.