For many Kenyan couples, the dream of having a child comes with a painful question: how much can they afford to spend in pursuit of parenthood?
Beyond the emotional toll of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, couples face the cost of medical investigations and specialised fertility treatment, often while navigating social expectations that place the burden of infertility disproportionately on women.
For some, the journey ends before treatment begins—not because medical options are unavailable, but because they cannot afford them.
Data attributed to the Kenya Fertility Society (KFS) indicate that approximately two in every 10 couples in Kenya experience fertility challenges. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that about one in six people experience infertility during their lifetime.
The figures underscore a reproductive health challenge affecting families across the country, even as specialised fertility services continue to expand.
Kenya now has more than 15 specialised in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) centres, concentrated largely in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Yet the growth of these facilities has not eliminated the financial barriers that prevent many couples from accessing treatment.
An IVF cycle can cost hundreds of thousands of shillings, with additional expenses for consultations, laboratory investigations, medication and follow-up care. Depending on the treatment required, a couple may face a bill running into millions of shillings, particularly when several cycles are necessary.
For households living on modest incomes, such costs can turn fertility treatment into an unattainable aspiration.
The challenge is compounded by the fact that infertility is not a single condition with one universal solution. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, the age and medical history of the partners, and the interventions required.
Dr Charles Muteshi, a consultant fertility specialist at Aga Khan University Hospital, emphasises the importance of approaching fertility challenges through proper medical assessment and a shared understanding between partners.
“A couple-centred approach is particularly important in Kenya, where the inability to conceive can expose women to stigma, blame and pressure from relatives, even before both partners have undergone medical investigations,'” he said in a statement.
Infertility can result from male factors, female factors, a combination of both or causes that remain unexplained. Yet cultural attitudes frequently assume that a woman is responsible when pregnancy does not occur.
This can leave women undergoing repeated investigations while their partners delay or avoid assessment.
“A comprehensive fertility evaluation should therefore involve both partners,” Dr. Muteshi states. Depending on their circumstances, investigations may include semen analysis, assessment of ovulation, examination of the reproductive organs and tests to establish whether the fallopian tubes are open.
The findings help clinicians determine the most appropriate treatment, which may range from medication and selected surgical procedures to assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF.
For couples, the process also demands communication, emotional support and shared decision-making. Fertility treatment can be physically, psychologically and financially demanding, particularly when outcomes remain uncertain.
Moving away from blame is therefore not simply a question of fairness. It is essential to ensuring that both partners participate in seeking appropriate care.
Some couples delay medical assessment because of embarrassment, misinformation or the hope that pregnancy will eventually occur without intervention. Others spend money on unproven remedies before seeking specialist advice.
Infertility is generally defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Women aged 35 and older are generally advised to seek assessment after six months of trying, while those over 40 or with known risk factors may need earlier evaluation.
Timely assessment can help identify treatable conditions and clarify the options available. Not every couple requires IVF, and treatment plans must be tailored to individual medical needs.
However, knowing what treatment is available does not necessarily mean being able to afford it.
The growth of Kenya’s fertility sector signals increasing recognition of the need for specialised reproductive healthcare. But the concentration of services in major towns and the high cost of treatment continue to raise questions about equitable access.
Consequently, Dr. Muteshi feels that expanding public awareness, strengthening referral systems and exploring ways to reduce the financial burden could help more couples obtain appropriate assessment and treatment.
Equally important is ensuring that fertility care is approached with sensitivity and respect. Couples should be able to seek help without fear of ridicule, discrimination or pressure to pursue treatments beyond their financial means.
For Dr Muteshi and other specialists working in reproductive medicine, the broader challenge is to ensure that couples receive appropriate medical guidance and understand the options available to them.
Ultimately, infertility is not a measure of a person’s worth, nor should it become a reason to isolate or blame one partner.
As Kenya’s fertility industry grows, the real test will be whether medical progress can translate into more accessible care for ordinary families.
For couples confronting fertility challenges, the hope of parenthood should not be overshadowed by stigma, misinformation and the fear that seeking treatment could push them into financial hardship.
