Why Kenyan women are no longer interested in having children

Kenya is witnessing a major shift in reproductive choices as more women openly express their desire to stop or delay childbearing.

Recent data presented by Dr Edward Serem, the head of the division of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (DRMCH) under the Ministry of Health, shows that 46 per cent of women say they do not want any more children.

While an additional 30 per cent would like to postpone childbirth.

In its National Update on the Family Planning Program in Kenya, the Ministry reported that fertility intentions among women aged 15–49 have shifted significantly over the years, largely due to the increased uptake of family planning methods.

According to the findings, 30 per cent of women expressed a desire to delay pregnancy, while 17 per cent indicated that they would like to have another child soon.

Overall, the data shows that 76 per cent of women are in need of contraception.

The Ministry further highlighted that 63 per cent of women are currently using some form of family planning, with 57 per cent relying on modern methods.

Among these, 20 per cent use injectables, 19 per cent implants, eight per cent pills, and four per cent intrauterine devices (IUDs), while six per cent continue to rely on traditional methods.

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Together, this means nearly three out of four women of reproductive age require family planning services to avoid unintended pregnancies.

Dr Serem said the findings reflect not just individual choices, but also a broader transformation on how families across Kenya are planning their futures.

“The mission of our family planning program is simple-where pregnancy is desired, it should be safe and supported. Where it is not desired, women and couples should have full access to effective contraceptives,” Serem said.

The statistics he said, confirms that family planning should be made more accessible than ever before.

For decades, large families were seen as a sign of wealth and security.

But today, women are increasingly prioritizing manageable family sizes, financial stability, and the health of both mother and child.

“I have three children already, and I feel that is enough for me. Life has become expensive, and I would rather give the few children I have a good education and healthcare instead of struggling to feed more mouths,” said Mary Njeri, a florist from Ruaka.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 revealed steady progress in contraceptive uptake, but also highlighted gaps.

The country’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) currently stands at 62 per cent, with targets of 64 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050.

Dr Serem emphasized that the growing number of women who want to stop childbearing altogether is driving higher demand for long-term contraceptives such as implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and sterilization.

“Women are speaking more openly about their fertility preferences, and the data reflects this shift. We are seeing strong demand not just for temporary contraceptives but also for permanent solutions among women who feel their families are complete,” Serem noted.

For many Kenyan women, the decision not to have more children is rooted in lived experiences.

Rising costs of living, limited job opportunities, and the desire for quality over quantity in raising children weigh heavily in the choice.

“I come from a family of eight, but my parents really struggled to provide for us. I don’t want to repeat that cycle. I would rather stop at two children so I can give them what my parents could not,” said Beatrice Wangila, a 29-year-old primary school teacher.

“I chose family planning because I want to live and be present for the children I already have,” Beatrice emphasized.

Such testimonies are echoed across urban and rural areas, though disparities persist.

Counties such as Nyeri report contraceptive use above 80 per cent, while regions like Turkana and West Pokot lag significantly below the national average.

Dr Serem highlighted that the Ministry of Health estimates family planning has had a profound impact in preventing unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths.

In 2022 alone, 2.4 million unintended pregnancies were averted, alongside 600,000 unsafe abortions and nearly 10,000 maternal deaths.

“These numbers show that family planning is not just about choice, it is about survival. Every woman who avoids an unintended pregnancy is more likely to stay in school, advance her career, and contribute to the economy,” he said.

Several factors further explain why more women now prefer smaller families or none at all with Education playing a key role, as women with higher education levels are more likely to want fewer children.

Urbanisation also influences family sizes with urban families facing higher costs of housing, schooling, and healthcare.

Maternal health risks, particularly after multiple pregnancies, influence women’s decisions to stop childbearing.

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It was also noted that changing gender roles, with more women in formal employment, also mean balancing work and childcare has become central to family planning decisions.

Interestingly, the data also shows that younger women, particularly in their 20s, are opting to delay childbirth rather than stop entirely.

This explains the 30 per cent of women who say they do not currently want children but may want them in the future.

“I am 24 and just starting my career,” said Sally Wafula, a young banker in Nairobi. “I want to focus on building myself financially before I think of children. Maybe in a few years, but not now.”

Despite progress, challenges persist in ensuring that all women can make these choices freely.

Stock-outs of contraceptives, myths and misconceptions, cultural barriers, and uneven distribution of services continue to hinder access in marginalized areas.

“In some communities, women are still pressured to keep giving birth, even when they don’t want to. We meet women who whisper to us in clinics that they don’t want more children, but they cannot tell their husbands for fear of rejection or violence,” said Dr Rabbeca Nanjala, a reproductive health expert.

She acknowledged these barriers and pointed to ongoing efforts by government and partners to address them.

Strategies put up include integrating family planning into HIV and maternal health services, scaling up innovations like self-administered injectables, and training health workers to improve quality of care.

Kenya is also a signatory to the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) commitments, which aim to reduce unmet need for contraception, increase financing, and improve gender equality in reproductive health decision-making.