On June 4, 2025, KELIN joined fellow civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Thematic Group to advocate for stronger accountability on Kenya’s human rights commitments—especially in the area of SRHR.
This followed Kenya’s 4th UPR session held on May 1, 2025, in Geneva, where other countries reviewed Kenya’s human rights track record. During the session, Kenya received 339 recommendations from 122 countries, with 13 advance questions posed to its delegation. The recommendations covered a wide range of human rights areas. On May 7, Kenya’s State Report was officially adopted, with final endorsement expected at the Human Rights Council’s 60th session in September 2025.
Progress and Gaps on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
Encouragingly, Kenya accepted several key SRHR recommendations, including commitments to:
- Improve access to SRHR services,
- Strengthen the HIV response, and
- Tackle inequalities that prevent many—especially young people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those living with HIV—from accessing care.
However, the Kenyan government noted key recommendations such as: reforming punitive laws, removing barriers to justice and rights for people with HIV and vulnerable groups, increasing investment in SRHR services, prioritizing marginalized populations (including youth, persons with disabilities, and others), decriminalizing abortion, integrating comprehensive sexuality education in all settings, and adopting inclusive policies to remove healthcare barriers for SOGIESC minorities.
Why This Matters
The recent CSO meeting aimed to break down what Kenya agreed to and what it sidestepped—so we can track progress and keep pushing for full implementation. These conversations are vital in shaping future advocacy work with government institutions.
Earlier in the process, the SRHR Thematic Group submitted a stakeholder report outlining 11 key recommendations focused on four urgent issues:
- Barriers in accessing SRHR services and information for young people, people with disabilities, key populations, and those living with HIV.
- Shrinking budgets for maternal and child health.
- Gaps in the legal and policy framework needed to apply Article 26(4) of Kenya’s Constitution on reproductive health.
- The absence of a strong legal framework to end child marriage.
The UPR process leads us to action. It provides a unique platform for civil society to engage in sustained advocacy and hold their governments accountable for their human rights obligations. KELIN welcomes and supports continued national advocacy engagements and joint discussions between civil society actors and with the State towards implementation of all UPR SRHR recommendations; accepted and noted to ensure access to health care for all.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, 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,
Program Officer- SRHR, Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS(KELIN),
Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org References:
– http://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1i/k1ia89rm3j
– https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/WG.6/49/KEN/1
– https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wzs00j6w
– https://csakenya.org/wp-content/uploads/UPR-Kenya_SRHR-Thematic-Group-report.pdf
