The latest 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) has listed the top ten counties in which both men and women between the age of 21-49 years have never had sexual encounters. Counties like Wajir, Garissa, Vihiga, Mandera, Kwale, Isiolo, Kilifi, Busia, Nyandarua, and Kitui were reported to have defied expectations in terms of sexual inexperience among women aged 21-49 years.

The report highlights that a large percentage of the youth choose to abstain from sexual intercourse. The report shows that 20.9 per cent to 32.2 per cent of women are sexually inexperienced further showing that a large percentage of the youth have resorted to abstain from sexual intercourse. Mandera County stands out with a percentage of 44.7% of men reported to have never engaged in sexual intercourse.

KDHS listed the top ten counties with the highest percentage of sexually inexperienced men. Garissa topped the list with (42.6 per cent), Wajir (36.3 per cent), Tana River (31.1 per cent), Kakamega (31.0 per cent), Busia (29.5 per cent), Siaya (27.5 per cent), Lamu (24.9 per cent), Nyandarua (24.5 per cent), and Kwale (23.7 per cent)

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The study also delves into the sexual activity patterns in various Kenyan counties. Narok County boasts the highest percentage of sexually active women with a percentage of 57.6 per cent. Other counties that recorded a high percentage of sexually active women include Embu (57.5 per cent), Murang’a (56.6 per cent), Meru (55.7 per cent), Tharaka Nithi (55.4 per cent), Kirinyaga (54.9 per cent), Kericho (54.4 per cent), Kiambu (52.6 per cent), Nandi (51.9 per cent), and Nakuru (51.5 per cent).

According to the survey, West Pokot takes the lead with 69.6% when it comes to men’s sexual activity in the past month. Other countries that followed shortly are Narok (68.4 per cent), Tharaka Nithi (61.3 per cent), Kericho (59.4 per cent), Kirinyaga (58.6 per cent), Nandi (56.1 per cent), Migori (55.2 per cent), Kisumu (54.5 per cent), Nyamira (54.5 per cent), and Elgeyo Marakwet County (54.3 per cent).

The findings by KDHS also bring to light a shocking concern of only 37% of women using protection during sexual activity. This raises critical questions about the awareness of safe sex practices among the group.