9 October 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya
KELIN has called for stronger action to address gaps in the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights following Kenya’s review by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), held on 8 October 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ahead of the review, KELIN and other civil society organisations submitted a joint shadow report highlighting persistent gaps between Kenya’s legal protections and access to reproductive healthcare, particularly for women and girls.
The report focused on three key concerns: access to safe and legal abortion, financing for reproductive and maternal healthcare, and access to reproductive health information and services for adolescents.
Access to safe and legal abortion
During the review, Committee experts questioned Kenya on the continued application of Sections 158–160 of the Penal Code alongside Article 26(4) of the Constitution, which permits abortion in specified circumstances.
The delegation did not provide a clear response on measures being taken to address these legal inconsistencies.
KELIN’s Senior Programme Officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Elsie Milimu, noted that the continued legal uncertainty creates fear of prosecution among healthcare providers and women and girls seeking lawful abortion services.
Financing reproductive and maternal healthcare
The Committee also questioned Kenya on declining maternal health financing and changes to the Linda Mama programme.
The Government explained that financing had been redirected to the broader Linda Jamii programme and highlighted investments in healthcare workers and maternal health services.
However, questions remain about whether these changes will guarantee affordable, accessible and quality maternal healthcare, particularly for vulnerable women and girls.
Access to reproductive health services for adolescents
The Committee raised concerns about adolescent pregnancy and barriers to accessing reproductive health information, contraception and adolescent-friendly services.
While the Government highlighted the integration of age-appropriate reproductive health education into the school curriculum, legal and practical barriers remain, including parental consent requirements under the Children Act.
The need for action
KELIN urges the Government to harmonise abortion laws with the Constitution, strengthen financing and accountability for reproductive and maternal healthcare, and remove barriers preventing adolescents from accessing essential health information and services.
The review provides an opportunity for Kenya to move beyond commitments and demonstrate measurable progress in protecting the rights and health of women and girls.
KELIN will continue working with civil society partners and affected communities to follow up on the review and advocate for implementation of the Committee’s recommendations once issued.
To contribute to discussions on these issues, follow KELIN on our website and social media platforms.
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
Twitter(X): @KELINKenya
For more information please contact:
Elsie Milimu
Senior Programme Officer – SRHR
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS (KELIN)
Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org
