May 7, 2025
By Jeremick Joe

In 2023, Kenya saw approximately 792,694 induced abortions  a sharp increase from 464,690 recorded in 2012. But these numbers tell only part of the story. Behind them is a tragic reality: many of these abortions were carried out in unsafe conditions, with young women resorting to harmful, sometimes fatal, methods due to a lack of access to safe services. According to data, one in ten women who had an abortion in Kenya used dangerous techniques such as ingesting toxic substances or inserting sharp objects  desperate actions driven not by carelessness, but by a lack of knowledge and resources

The Legal Gap: Access to Abortion Isn’t Enough Without Access to Care
Kenya’s Constitution (Article 26) permits abortion in cases where the mother’s life or health is at risk, or in cases of rape. However, this legal provision is often clouded by confusion and fear. Many women, particularly young women, are unaware of their legal rights or unable to access safe abortion services due to societal stigma, misinformation, and cultural taboos.

Continued: https://ghettoradio.co.ke/kenyas-unsafe-abortion-crisis-is-fueled-by-silence-not-recklessness/