An increasing number of Kenyan men are opting for vasectomies, according to a recent report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and the topic is causing quite a stir across the country — including among celebrities.
One of those weighing in is comedian Mulamwah, who has strongly dismissed the idea of ever having the procedure.
The father of three says he has big dreams of expanding his family and sees no place for vasectomy in his life.
“I don’t see myself going through with it. Vasectomy is a no for me,” he stated. “I want more children. I’m even building a big house back in the village — who’s going to fill it if not my children?”
Mulamwah currently has a child each with his two exes Ruth K and Carol Sonnie. His first child was with a previous partner who sadly passed away.
Comedian and YouTuber Oga Obinna recently revealed that he is seriously considering the procedure, having fathered five children with three different women.
However, he’s not alone in expressing doubts. Actor Melvin Alusa, a father of eight, has also said vasectomy has never been on his list of options.
Interestingly, Melvin’s brother, musician Bien Aime Barasa, has taken a more open-minded stance. Speaking on his show Bald Box with rugby star Dennis Ombachi and Dr Reign, Bien admitted that while the thought of a vasectomy is intimidating, he is not entirely opposed.
“When we discuss vasectomy, men often ask — is it reversible? I won’t pretend to be an expert on the matter, but I’m willing to consider it. Ideally, I’d prefer my wife to go through a procedure, but I’m not against exploring vasectomy,” he said.
The 2023 Economic Survey revealed that the number of men in Kenya choosing vasectomy more than doubled in a single year — rising from 248 to 557.
While the numbers are still low, it’s enough to trigger conversation, especially considering that less than 1% of Kenyan men have undergone the procedure, according to the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS).
Dr Kireki Omanwa from KOGS noted that even after counselling, only one in 100 men agrees to the procedure. He added that many men who do go through with it tend to keep it a secret due to lingering stigma.
Fears over masculinity and reduced sexual performance are among the common misconceptions.
A vasectomy involves severing or blocking the vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. It’s typically done under local anaesthesia and takes about 20 minutes.
Despite concerns, experts from Penn Medicine in the US affirm that the procedure does not affect a man’s sex drive, ability to get erections, or experience orgasms.
Recovery is quick: most men can return to work within a few days and resume sexual activity in a week. However, sterilisation is not immediate.
Doctors recommend continuing birth control until a semen test confirms a zero sperm count — usually after about 20 ejaculations or two months.
While reversal is possible, it’s a much more complex operation, often lasting 4–6 hours and with no guaranteed results.
Alternative options like surgical sperm retrieval combined with IVF have shown success rates as high as 98%.
By Geoffrey mbuthia
