Kenya: The New Cold War Over Access to Safe Abortion in Kenya

22 SEPTEMBER 2022
Inter Press Service

By Stephanie Musho and Ritah Anindo Obonyo

Nairobi — Fatuma is a 24 year old girl from Korogocho, an informal settlement
in Nairobi. She died in December 2021, from complications arising from an
unsafe abortion. Her friend and a few of her neighbors found her bleeding
profusely and unable to move. They rushed her to the hospital. Unfortunately,
she died before she could see the doctor.

Unfortunately, Fatuma's story is common for girls and women in Kenya. In fact,
at least 7 of them die every day from complications arising from unsafe
abortion. Worse still, is that with current trends - where 700 girls between
the ages of 10 and 19 are getting pregnant daily; the harrowing statistics on
abortions are likely to be worse. If Fatuma knew where she could access safe
abortion services, she would not have died.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202209230002.html


Kenya – What is the way forward for Bill on reproductive health services?

By GARDY CHACHA
Thu, Aug 12 2021

The Reproductive Health Bill, 2019 which proposed to make prenatal, delivery, and postnatal services free for every woman in Kenya was withdrawn earlier this year to allow for more public participation.

The Bill, sponsored by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, was gazetted in November 2019 and was first read in Parliament on February 18, 2020.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2001420589/what-is-the-way-forward-for-bill-on-reproductive-health-services


In Kenya, abortion focus obscures legislation towards safe reproductive healthcare services

Tagged “the abortion bill”, the Reproductive Healthcare bill of 2019 is, in fact a comprehensive document

Written by Laila Le Guen
Posted 30 March 2021

Reproductive rights in Kenya is an intimate and emotive topic where hard lines have been drawn on both sides. Pro- and anti-abortion campaigners keep cycling through episodes of heightened attention when high-profile cases arise and passions continue to run high. Meanwhile, the country registers numbers of unsafe abortions that are among the highest in Africa. Maternal mortality is high at about 6,000 deaths per year, 17 per cent of them from complications of unsafe abortion.

Limited legal recourse to access termination of pregnancy is a potential compromise that remains contested, leaving the two camps with a status quo that seems hard to shake off. What's at stake on both ends of this fiercely debated issue?

Continued: https://globalvoices.org/2021/03/30/in-kenya-abortion-campaigners-obscure-legislation-towards-safe-reproductive-healthcare-services/


Kenya – Explainer: Reproductive Healthcare Bill, 2019

Every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health.

by HENRY MAKORI
21 September 2020

Opinion is sharply divided over the Reproductive Healthcare Bill, 2019 that is before Parliament. It has led to strong exchanges between supporters and opponents.

The sponsor of the Bill, Nakuru Senator Susan
Kihika, explains in the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons that the proposed law
is meant to actualise the constitutional guarantee that every person has the
right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to
reproductive healthcare (Article 43).

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/opinion/2020-09-21-explainer-reproductive-healthcare-bill-2019/


Kenya – Unsafe abortion: The problem nobody wants to talk about

Unsafe abortion: The problem nobody wants to
talk about

By MERCY KAHENDA AND SAADA HASSAN
August 31st 2020

The images still sneak up to her when she least expects. They come unannounced,
and they torture her. Eve never imagined that the process of trying to get rid
of an unplanned baby could leave her with physical and emotional scars that
have refused to go away.

When she speaks of abortion, she whispers. The shame she feels lingers in every
word she utters.

“I get bad dreams and I am haunted by the
act,” she says.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/the-standard-insider/article/2001384569/unsafe-abortion-the-problem-nobody-wants-to-talk-about


Kenya – Sex education can reduce teen pregnancies, says Fida

The Reproductive Health Bill proposes including information in the syllabus

by NJERI MBUGUA News Reporter
25 July 2020

Inaccurate or misleading information on sexual and reproductive health may be to blame for the rise in cases of teenage pregnancies, Fida Kenya has said.

The organisation says proper sex education can reduce the pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-07-25-sex-education-can-reduce-teen-pregnancies-says-fida/


Kenya – My bill does not advocate for teen abortion; Senator Kihika

By Saada Hassan
July 21st 2020

“My bill does not recommend abortion as a solution to teen pregnancies. My bill recommends to at least help with the situation,” Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika has come out to defend the Reproductive Health care Bill 2019.

Speaking on Tuesday on Spice FM, the Senator argued that the bill would act as a stand-alone on matters reproductive healthcare since the constitution fails to explain more about it on grey matters.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001379542/my-bill-does-not-advocate-for-teen-abortion-senator-kihika


Kenyan Atheists Throw Support Behind Senator Susan Kihika’s ‘Abortion Bill’

By John Wanjohi Sun
07/12/2020

The controversial Reproductive Health Bill 2019 drafted by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika has received support from Kenyan atheists.

Atheists in Kenya Society hailed the proposed bill as progressive, saying it will help reduce unwanted pregnancies because it gives Kenyans the power to decide when to have or not have children.

Continued: https://mwakilishi.com/article/kenya-news/2020-07-12/kenyan-atheists-throw-support-behind-senator-susan-kihikas-abortion-bill