Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has urged Parliament’s Health Committee to boost funding for the national family planning programme. Speaking in Mombasa at a high-level stakeholder meeting, Dr. Oluga highlighted the critical need for sustained investment.
He explained that the programme requires USD 25 million Ksh. 3.2 billion annually; the money that covers procurement, warehousing, and distribution of family planning commodities.
“Equitable and reliable access to family planning needs steady financing,” Dr. Oluga said. He added that investing in family planning is not just a health intervention but a national investment.
“Family planning promotes education, saves lives, and strengthens the economy,” he said. “It is a social equalizer that ensures children born in planned families thrive.”
Dr. Oluga also emphasized the need to raise public awareness. “Access alone is not enough,” he said. “Public education is crucial for success.”
He pointed to a 2018 cost-benefit analysis. “For every one shilling invested in family planning, Kenya saves four in health care, education, and social services,” he noted.
Family planning, he said, is a powerful lever for development. “It is about securing a prosperous future for generations to come,” he said.
Dr. Oluga described family planning as the cornerstone of public health and a path to unlock Kenya’s demographic dividend. He urged Parliament to address low public awareness and limited access to commodities.
“We must help people understand family planning’s value,” he said. “The Ministry of Health’s role is to implement what society needs and supports.”
For many Kenyans, better funding for family planning means healthier families and stronger communities. It means more children in classrooms and fewer health complications for mothers.
Families with planned births can provide better nutrition and education for their children. This strengthens communities and fuels economic growth.
The call for increased funding is a call for national progress. It is a step towards equity, opportunity, and well-being for every Kenyan.
Dr. Oluga’s message is clear: investing in family planning is investing in Kenya’s future. This investment empowers families, supports communities, and drives national development.
As Parliament debates budget priorities, family planning deserves a place at the top. A well-funded programme means lives saved, futures secured, and a prosperous nation for all.
