The National Reproductive Health Policy 2022-2032

Abstract

This policy has been developed through a lengthy consultative process over several years involving multiple stakeholders to ensure everyone has a say, but retaining the people of Kenya in the driving seat to have their way on matters of Reproductive health within Kenya’s progressive socio-cultural tenets. Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Optimal reproductive health is core to the national development agenda as it is a key determinant of a nation’s population health, the latter being a premier resource of any nation. This policy is anchored on the philosophy of leaving no Kenyan behind on matters of reproductive health and seeks to cement responsible reproductive health rights enjoyed within bounded rationality as personal liberty prioritized for resource allocation. Over the years, Kenya has made significant strides in improving the socioeconomic status of her citizens. Indeed this policy comes into effect at a time Kenya has transitioned to a Middle Income Economy24 in which previous bilateral donors are seeking to trade with Kenya as she moves towards economic independence. Over the next decade, Kenya is projected to experience a significant increase in demand for reproductive health services as the nation continues to increase life expectancy while enjoying a modest annual growth rate of 2.2%, with close to a quarter of her population being adolescents. (Ref census 201925).