Ten years ago, the debate over whether condoms should be used during intercourse was still raging; the Kenyan society had been rocked by HIV/AIDS and was looking for ways to stem the rising infection rates.

Men argued that they could not use condoms because it diminished the sex experience. It was argued that it was like eating a banana with the outer skin or taking a candy with the wrap on.

Being a patriarchal society, women were disadvantaged because they could not insist on condom use, even when the risk was manifest. Trust issues were raised and infection rates rose like bush fire.

Then the prevention campaigns went on the over drive, people started accepting condoms and women became empowered to demand for condoms.

That is why the announcement by the Kenyan government that it will purchase 100 million condoms did not merit much debate; it has become part of our lifestyle. If it was in 1999, the news would have had some space on the front page and radio stations would have made it part of the debate for a day or two.

Now the news was in the inside pages, which is probably a testimony of how the times have changed.

I once participated in a very interesting debate between men and women discussing why condoms are now acceptable more than before. The men argued that it has become hard to trust the women and the same argument was advanced by the women. So, infidelity that goes both ways has led to some form of empowerment because we have all realized that we are all at risk and no one is a victim of the other.

The stories of how the community has struggled with supporting the sick members. How grand mothers have been forced to learn how to change nappies because they can not even provide food let alone afford diapers.

The main question then becomes; would you ensure that you have condoms in the pocket/bag? Just in case you never know when the craving strikes.