This paper uses the 1989 and 1998 KDHS data sets to examine the role of socio-economic, cultural and family planning factors in explaining the observed increase in contraceptive use in Kenya during the 1989-1998 period. The key finding of the study is that the increase in the use of modern methods of contraception during this period was not due to the socio-economic changes or the improved family planning environment which occurred during the period, but was rather due to the increased use of contraceptives among those who approved family planning and those who had not experienced an infant/child death. The main conclusion drawn from these findings is that studies focusing on explaining the trends in contraceptive use should take into account the changing patterns of association between the various factors on one hand and contraceptive use on the other.