Unsafe abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Kenya, with many young girls and women losing their lives due to preventable post abortion complications. The continued failure to provide comprehensive sexual reproductive health services in health facilities highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, policies implementation, and accountability from both the government and healthcare institutions.
On 26th and 28 March 2025, KELIN held community dialogues in Nairobi and Kiambu counties to discuss barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and information. The dialogues brought together community members and medical practitioners and was aimed at examining the challenges hindering access to SRH services.
A key focus of the discussions was the legal framework for safe abortion in Kenya, particularly provisions under Kenya’s Constitution 2010).Article 26(4) permits abortion for when in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is a need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger or if permitted by any other written law.
Despite the constitutional guarantees to the right to the highest attainable standard of health including reproductive healthcare and emergency treatment under Articles 43(1a) and (2), many young girls and women continue to be denied post-abortion care in health facilities. Misinformation and stigma within both the community and healthcare system has led to the persistent belief that abortion is entirely illegal in Kenya, further limiting access to safe abortion and post abortion care. This has impeded access to safe abortion services, forcing many young women and girls to resort to unsafe alternatives.
KELIN remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights through advocacy and strategic litigation to create more awareness about such rights. The State and health facilities must be held accountable for failing to ensure that SRH services are accessible, available, and a lived reality for young women and girls in Kenya.
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Namulanda,
Strategic Litigation Unit
Kuwinda Lane, Off Lang’ata Road
P.O Box 112 -00202 KNH Nairobi.
Tel: +254710785033 Email; catherinenamulanda@kelinkenya.org
