1950s
Modern methods of contraception are available in Kenya.
1962
The Family Planning Association of Kenya (FPAK) is established and affiliates with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
1963
Kenya gains independence from Great Britain. Pathfinder International begins family planning and reproductive health programs
in Kenya.
1965
The Government of Kenya formally accepts familyplanning as part of its national development strategy.
1967
Kenya is the first African country to establish a population policy and national family planning programs.
1974
The Ministry of Health establishes a Family Planning Welfare Center to scale up government family planning efforts.
This agency later becomes the Division of Primary Health Care (PHC) and evolves into the Division of Reproductive Health
of the Ministry of Health.
1982
FPAK becomes the first Kenyan non-governmental organization (NGO) to establish a community-based distribution program
with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
EngenderHealth begins working in Kenya and helps to ensure access to safe and voluntary family planning.
1984
The first reported case of HIV/AIDS in Kenya occurs.
USAID’s Private Sector Family Planning (PSFP I) project is established to provide a full range of managerial, programmatic
and clinical assistance to private companies and industries to initiate and provide health and family planning services for
their employees and surrounding communities. The second phase of this project, PSFP II, assists a select number of private health
practitioners in initiating family planning services.
The Reagan administration announces the Mexico City Policy. At this point, FPAK is only receiving U.S. funds through the
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). However, IPPF rejects the terms of the gag rule, loses U.S. funding and,
consequently, reduces donations to FPAK. FPAK then turns to USAID/Kenya for direct assistance and reluctantly agrees to the terms
of the gag rule. As a result, FPAK receives USAID funds directly for the first time.
1985
Marie Stopes International Kenya (MSI Kenya) begins providing services in the country.
Kenya hosts the World Conference on Women in Nairobi.
1991
“Family Planning Policy Guidelines and Standards for Service Providers” is published by the Ministry of Health to help family
planning workers assist Kenyan couples in making appropriate contraceptive choices.
1992
USAID’s global Family Planning Services Project (FPSP) begins. Its overall goal is to meet growing demand for family planning and
reproductive health services by building capacityto create and improve access to the fullest possible range of quality information
and services.
1993
The Mexico City Policy is rescinded by President Clinton.
1995
EngenderHealth expands its focus to broader reproductive health care, including contraceptive services, maternity services, post-abortion
care and infection prevention.
The Government of Kenya provides financial support through its National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development to expand FPAK
facilities. This enables FPAK to open new clinics and build headquarters in Nairobi.
1997
“Reproductive Health/Family Planning Policy Guidelines and Standards for Service Providers” is published by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to
provide the most current knowledge of contraceptive methods and other aspects of reproductive health.
The Kenyan MoH publishes the National Reproductive Health Strategy (1997-2010).
2000
USAID’s global FPSP project ends.
2001
USAID lists Kenya as a “rapid scale-up” country for HIV/AIDS assistance.
President George W. Bush reinstates the Mexico City Policy, or Global Gag Rule as it is known by then.
The USAID-funded integrated health project - AMKENI - is launched.
IPPF refuses the terms of the gag rule and loses U.S. funds
FPAK refuses the terms of the gag rule and loses 58 percent of its budget through direct cuts from U.S. funds and indirect cuts from IPPF.
MSI Kenya also refuses the terms of the gag rule and loses 40 percent of its operating budget. The same year, MSI Kenya closes two clinics, lays off one-fifth of
its staff, cuts salaries and increases client fees.
FPAK closes three clinics that collectively served about 1,560 women, men and children every month. Thirty percent of FPAK’s staff is laid off.
2003
The Adolescent Reproductive Health & Development Policy is launched by the MoH with support from NGOs and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This holistic
policy addresses poverty and socio-economic issues, reproductive health information and services, harmful practices, and gender issues.
2004
Preliminary results of the Kenya Demographic Health Survey are released, showing no increases in contraceptive use since 1998 and a reversal of the previous
trend toward declining fertility.
The results of a national assessment on the magnitude of abortion complications in Kenya are published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The study was conducted by the Kenya Medical Association, the Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya and Ipas.
2005
FPAK opens a maternity unit in Nairobi to increase access to safe delivery and to offer permanent and long-term contraceptive methods.
Three more FPAK clinics are closed in Kakamega, Nkubu and Nyeri in March.
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