When Ugandan entrepreneur Yesigye Brian Bravo shared his vasectomy story online, he didn't just announce a personal medical decision; he sent a shockwave through deeply held cultural beliefs about manhood and family across the region. The 47-year-old father of two has become an unlikely focal point in a conversation Kenya is only beginning to whisper about: the role of men in contraception.

This is not just a discussion about a medical procedure; it's a hard look at shared responsibility in the home. For decades, the burden of family planning in Kenya has rested almost exclusively on women, who navigate a complex world of hormonal injections, pills, and implants. Yet, a man's decision, like Bravo's, highlights a simpler, permanent alternative that remains shrouded in myth and fear.

The Numbers Tell a Story of Fear

In Kenya, the silence around vasectomy is reflected in stark numbers. According to the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, only about one per cent of Kenyan men have undergone the procedure. Recent data shows a slight uptick, with the number of men opting for vasectomy doubling from 248 in 2021 to 557 in 2022, but this figure remains negligible compared to the millions of women using other contraceptive methods.

The contrast with Uganda is becoming increasingly sharp. In 2023, Uganda recorded 7,120 vasectomies, a dramatic leap from 2,414 the previous year, according to the country's District Health Information Software report. This surge, noted by health officials like Dr. Fred Ssentongo of Marie Stopes Uganda, suggests that awareness campaigns are beginning to dismantle long-standing barriers.

• The Cost Factor: In Kenya, the price of a vasectomy can range from KES 15,000 to as high as KES 160,000 (approx. $1,240), depending on the facility.
• Uganda's Approach: In Uganda, the cost is significantly lower, ranging from UGX 100,000 to UGX 200,000 (approx. KES 3,500 to KES 7,000), with organisations sometimes offering subsidized or free procedures to increase uptake.

Dismantling Decades of Misinformation

The primary hurdle is not cost, but culture. Health experts consistently battle myths that equate vasectomy with castration, loss of sexual drive, or diminished strength. "Many believe vasectomy makes them impotent," noted Dr. Francis Were, a Kenyan expert, highlighting the deep-seated stigma that forces many interested men to seek the procedure in secret.

A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure, often taking less than 30 minutes under local anesthesia. It simply involves cutting or sealing the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. It does not affect testosterone production, erections, or the volume of ejaculate. With a success rate of over 99%, it is one of the most effective forms of contraception available.

For Bravo, the founder of Bravo Shoes in Uganda, the decision was a logical step after completing his family. "I want to share my story, not to boast, but to encourage every man who has completed his family to seriously consider this step," he told TUKO.co.ke. His choice was about taking personal responsibility for his family's future—a sentiment that resonates with a growing number of men who have seen their partners endure the side effects of hormonal contraceptives.

As Kenya grapples with its own family planning goals, the conversation started by a man in Kampala could be the catalyst needed. It forces a critical question into the open: Is Kenyan society ready to accept that true strength lies not in fertility, but in shared responsibility?