By Jeff Kizzilah
CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO CHALLENGE WITHDRAWAL OF SAFE ABORTION GUIDELINES, URGES COURT OF APPEAL TO UPHOLD HIGH COURT RULING
Ms. Amina Psychology To Victims Of Sex Violence
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) has called on the Government of Kenya to take immediate action to reverse the withdrawal of the Standards and Guidelines for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality from Unsafe Abortion, the National Training Curriculum, and the ban on Medabon, a World Health Organization–approved medication for safe abortion care.
CRR says the withdrawal of these tools has created confusion among healthcare providers and increased risks for women and girls—particularly survivors of sexual and gender-based violence—who rely on clear medical guidance and lawful access to reproductive healthcare.
Unsafe Abortion Remains a National Crisis
Citing the 2025 Ministry of Health and APHRC report, CRR noted that:
792,694 induced abortions occurred in 2023
1.463 million unintended pregnancies were recorded during the same year
These alarming figures demonstrate that unsafe abortion continues to be a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting vulnerable women and girls across the country.
Appeal to the Court of Appeal
The Center has urged the Court of Appeal to uphold the High Court’s landmark decision affirming access to safe and legal abortion in Kenya under the Constitution.
CRR stated that sustaining the High Court ruling would:
Strengthen protections for women and girls
Ensure survivors of sexual violence receive necessary care
Provide health workers with clear legal and medical guidance
Reduce deaths and injuries linked to unsafe abortion
Commitment to Human Rights
CRR reaffirmed its mission, noting:
“Our goal is to use the power of law to advance reproductive rights and fundamental human rights globally. Kenya has an obligation to protect women and girls from preventable harm by ensuring access to safe, legal, and medically guided abortion care.”
The Center emphasized that restoring the withdrawn guidelines, lifting the Medabon ban, and respecting court decisions are essential steps in promoting public health, upholding constitutional rights, and ensuring Kenya aligns with global human rights standards.
