{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> '''Abortion in Kenya''' is prohibited with the exception of certain circumstances including danger to the life and health of the expectant mother, and rape.<ref name="keny_Cons">{{Cite web|date=2010|title=Constitution of Kenya - Article 26(4)|url=http://www.kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/kenyalex/actview.xql?actid=Const2010#KE/CON/Const2010/chap_4/hc_chap_4/sec_26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217152629/http://www.kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/kenyalex/actview.xql?actid=Const2010#KE/CON/Const2010/chap_4/hc_chap_4/sec_26|archive-date=17 February 2015|access-date=13 March 2020|work=Kenya Law}}</ref><ref name="reut_Keny" /><ref name="capi_High">{{Cite web |title=High Court rules abortion remains illegal in Kenya|work=Capital News |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=21 August 2019 |url= https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2019/06/high-court-rules-abortion-remains-illegal-in-kenya/}}</ref> Unsafe abortions are a major cause of deaths and health complications for women in Kenya.<ref name="theg_Keny">{{Cite web |title=Kenya lifts ban on Marie Stopes abortion services after warning lives are at risk |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |work=the Guardian |date=21 December 2018 |access-date=1 March 2019 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/dec/21/kenya-lifts-ban-marie-stopes-abortion-services-after-warning-lives-are-at-risk}}</ref><ref name="j">{{cite journal |vauthors=Mohamed SF, Izugbara C, Moore AM, Mutua M, Kimani-Murage EW, Ziraba AK, Bankole A, Singh SD, Egesa C |title=The estimated incidence of induced abortion in Kenya: a cross-sectional study |journal=BMC Pregnancy Childbirth |volume=15 |page=185 |date=August 2015 |pmid=26294220 |pmc=4546129 |doi=10.1186/s12884-015-0621-1 |doi-access=free }}</ref> [[File:Kenya Debate Ignites Over Issue of Unsafe Abortions.webm|thumb|[[Voice of America]]: ''Kenya debate ignites over issue of unsafe abortions'', reporting on abortion statistics in Kenya (2019). Video 3:25 m.]]
==Legislative policy and legal status==
=== The Constitution === Abortion in Kenya is regulated by Article 26(4) of the [[Constitution of Kenya]] (2010), which states that: {{Quote |text=Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.<ref name="keny_Cons" />}} The [[2010 Kenyan constitutional referendum]] that introduced article 26 broadened access to abortion by allowing it for maternal health reasons.<ref name="reut_Keny">{{Cite web |title=Kenya's high court to decide on safe abortion as teenager dies |last=Bhalla |first=Nita |work=[[Reuters]] |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=9 March 2019 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-women-abortion/kenyas-high-court-to-decide-on-safe-abortion-as-teenager-dies-idUSKBN1K22DU}}</ref> Prior to the 2010 referendum, criminalization for abortion was common, especially that of abortion providers.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2010|title=In Harm's Way: The Impact of Kenya's Restrictive Abortion Law|url=http://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/InHarmsWay_2010.pdf|website=[[Center for Reproductive Rights]]}}</ref> A well-known court case in Kenya took place in 2004 where three healthcare workers were charged with murder after performing an abortion in the ''Republic v. Nyamu and Others'' case.<ref name=":5" /> Although access has been broadened by Article 26, due to the lack of specificity in the rhetoric of the 2010 clause in the Constitution debates about abortion in Kenya continue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Mohamed|first1=Deeqa|last2=Diamond-Smith|first2=Nadia|last3=Njunguru|first3=Jesse|date=2018|title=Stigma and agency: exploring young Kenyan women's experiences with abortion stigma and individual agency|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=26|issue=52|pages=128–137|doi=10.1080/09688080.2018.1492285|jstor=26605073|pmid=30058955|s2cid=51863361|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref> Many providers are reluctant to offer abortions because of the uncertainty regarding whether they would be legally backed and protected under the Constitution regardless of providing safe options to abort.<ref name=":0" />
Prior to the re-draft of the 2010 constitution, many Kenyan anti-abortion advocates and religious leaders, with the support of U.S. pro-life organizations, stood in opposition of the 2010 version of the Constitution of Kenya due to the inclusion of the article concerning abortion.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal|last=Tripp|first=Aili Mari|date=2016|title=Women's Movements and Constitution Making after Civil Unrest and Conflict in Africa: The Cases of Kenya and Somalia|url=http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1743923X16000015|journal=Politics & Gender|language=en|volume=12|issue=1|pages=78–106|doi=10.1017/S1743923X16000015|s2cid=146937386 |issn=1743-923X|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The [[National Council of Churches of Kenya]], which feared it would lead to the legalisation of abortion, opposed the amendment.<ref name="edit_Keny">{{Cite web |title=Kenya's churches unite against draft constitution |author=Richard Allen Greene |work=CNN |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=9 March 2019 |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/08/04/kenya.constitution.churches/index.html}}</ref> Those promoting anti-abortion agendas proposed seven amendments to Article 26 of the new drafted 2010 Constitution.<ref name=":142">{{Cite journal|last=Tripp|first=Aili Mari|date=2016|title=Women's Movements and Constitution Making after Civil Unrest and Conflict in Africa: The Cases of Kenya and Somalia|url=http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1743923X16000015|journal=Politics & Gender|language=en|volume=12|issue=1|pages=78–106|doi=10.1017/S1743923X16000015|s2cid=146937386 |issn=1743-923X|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Due to the persistent efforts of the Kenyan [[International Federation of Women Lawyers|Federation of Women Lawyers]] (FIDA) and other women's choice organizations, the amendments were never implemented.<ref name=":142" />
=== The Kenyan Penal Code === The 2012 [2010] revision of The Kenyan Penal Code Chapter 63 incorporates and prescribes punishments regarding abortion laws.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|year=2012 |orig-date=2010|title=Penal Code - Laws of Kenya|url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/28595/115477/F-857725769/KEN28595.pdf}}</ref> Sections 158-160 directly address women aborting or miscarrying.<ref name=":6" />
Section 158: Attempts to procure abortion<blockquote>Any person who, with intent to procure miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Section 159: The like by woman with child<blockquote>Any woman who, being with child, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Section 160: Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion<blockquote>Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person any thing whatever, knowing that it is intended to be unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of a woman whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Additionally, Section 240 of the Kenyan Penal Code (Cap 63) provides further clarification of the basis of surgical operations in relation to a mother's health and unborn children.<ref name=":6" />
Section 240: Surgical operation
<blockquote>A person is not criminally responsible for performing in good faith and with reasonable care and skill a surgical operation upon any person for his benefit, or upon an unborn child for the preservation of the mother's life, if the performance of the operation is reasonable, having regard to the patient's state at the time and to all the circumstances of the case.<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
=== Abortion and rape === After the growth of sexual violence coupled with the overall post election violence of the [[2007-2008 Kenyan crisis]], Kenya saw a need to address the threat and the various consequences of sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, that had risen in the country.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation Ministry of Medical Services|date=2009|title=National Guidelines on Management of Sexual Violence in Kenya|url=https://www.endvawnow.org/uploads/browser/files/national_guidelines.pdf}}</ref> Although [[Ministry of Health (Kenya)|Kenya's Ministry of Health]] did not intend to include abortion in the debate at the time, a decade later the topic of rape and abortion was clarified in the [[Supreme Court of Kenya|Supreme Court]].<ref name=":9" /> Pregnancies that are the result of a [[rape]] can be terminated by experts, a June 2019 judgment by the Supreme Court ruled.<ref name="capi_High" /> The court was compelled to advise health workers to provide safe and legal abortion in a petition by the Kenyan [[International Federation of Women Lawyers|Federation of Women Lawyers]] (FIDA).<ref name="capi_High" />
== Impact of abortion laws == Due to the limitations placed on abortions in the constitution, women often seek secretive and illegal methods of obtaining an abortion in Kenya.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last1=Mohamed|first1=Deeqa|last2=Diamond-Smith|first2=Nadia|last3=Njunguru|first3=Jesse|date=2018|title=Stigma and agency: exploring young Kenyan women's experiences with abortion stigma and individual agency|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=26|issue=52|pages=128–137|doi=10.1080/09688080.2018.1492285|jstor=26605073|pmid=30058955|s2cid=51863361|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref>
=== Historical context === Aside from the cultural stigmas associated with abortion as a result of traditional customs and religious beliefs, many limiting abortion laws throughout Africa are rooted in rules and regulations set during the colonial era.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last1=Brookman-Amissah|first1=Eunice|last2=Moyo|first2=Josephine Banda|date=2004|title=Abortion Law Reform in Sub-Saharan Africa: No Turning Back|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/S0968-8080%2804%2924026-5|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|language=en|volume=12|issue=sup24|pages=227–234|doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(04)24026-5|pmid=15938178|s2cid=30640187|issn=0968-8080|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
During the 1990s, there were increased opposition movements against educating adolescents on sexual reproductive health headed by religious and political leaders in Kenya.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|last=Oronje|first=Rose N|date=2013|title=The Kenyan national response to internationally agreed sexual and reproductive health and rights goals: a case study of three policies|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=21|issue=42|pages=151–160|doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(13)42749-0|jstor=43288317|pmid=24315071|s2cid=206113153|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref> Both Catholic and Muslim religious leaders led public demonstrations in August 1995.<ref name=":10" /> [[Daniel arap Moi|President Daniel arap Moi]] supported these movements until 1999 when he declared support for the purveying of contraception amidst the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya.<ref name=":10" /> This began a new wave of debates and discourse regarding contraception and sexual reproductive health on a public stage in Kenya.<ref name=":10" /> In the 1980s and 90s, and in regards to abortion specifically, the [[Kenyatta National Hospital]]'s data reveals "incomplete abortions accounted for more than half of all the gynecological admissions."<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Mutua|first1=Michael M.|last2=Maina|first2=Beatrice W.|last3=Achia|first3=Thomas O.|last4=Izugbara|first4=Chimaraoke O.|date=2015|title=Factors associated with delays in seeking post abortion care among women in Kenya|url= |journal=BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|page=241|doi=10.1186/s12884-015-0660-7|issn=1471-2393|pmc=4597436|pmid=26445973 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
=== Unsafe abortion practices === Some of the reasons why Kenyan women choose unsafe methods for abortion is due to the stigma of terminating a pregnancy, the fear of reduction of privacy as well as the lack of education and knowledge about reproductive health and contraceptive options in Kenyan society.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|last1=Jayaweera|first1=Ruvani T.|last2=Ngui|first2=Felistah Mbithe|last3=Hall|first3=Kelli Stidham|last4=Gerdts|first4=Caitlin|date=2018-01-25|editor-last=Dangal|editor-first=Ganesh|title=Women's experiences with unplanned pregnancy and abortion in Kenya: A qualitative study|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=13|issue=1|article-number=e0191412|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0191412|issn=1932-6203|pmc=5784933|pmid=29370220|bibcode=2018PLoSO..1391412J|doi-access=free }}</ref> Women who choose clandestine abortions may find services from doctors at private clinics, midwives, herbalists, or terminate their pregnancy on their own.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Hussain|first=Rubina|date=2012|title=Abortion and Unintended Pregnancy in Kenya|url=https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/ib_unsafeabortionkenya.pdf|journal=Issues in Brief (Alan Guttmacher Institute)|issue=2|pages=1–4|pmid=22734165}}</ref> A 2014 study reveals various methods Kenyan women claim to use to induce abortions independently of a medical clinic or medical provider.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Marlow|first1=Heather M|last2=Wamugi|first2=Sylvia|last3=Yegon|first3=Erick|last4=Fetters|first4=Tamara|last5=Wanaswa|first5=Leah|last6=Msipa-Ndebele|first6=Sinikiwe|date=2014|title=Women's perceptions about abortion in their communities: perspectives from western Kenya|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=22|issue=43|pages=149–158|doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(14)43758-3|jstor=43288343|pmid=24908466|s2cid=14166131|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref> Among some of the most prevalent answers included tea leaves, quinine, detergent and bleach, undiluted fruit juice, traditional herbs, a metal rod, wire, or stick inserted into the uterus, and overdoses of paracetamol and malaria pills.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5"/>
Post-abortion complications and delays in care-seeking are also underlying causes for mortality rates in Kenya.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Ziraba|first1=Abdhalah Kasiira|last2=Izugbara|first2=Chimaraoke|last3=Levandowski|first3=Brooke A|last4=Gebreselassie|first4=Hailemichael|last5=Mutua|first5=Michael|last6=Mohamed|first6=Shukri F|last7=Egesa|first7=Caroline|last8=Kimani-Murage|first8=Elizabeth W|date=2015-02-15|title=Unsafe abortion in Kenya: a cross-sectional study of abortion complication severity and associated factors|journal=BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth|volume=15|page=34|doi=10.1186/s12884-015-0459-6|issn=1471-2393|pmc=4338617|pmid=25884662 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Post-abortion admissions have seen over 75% of patients with moderate to severe ailments.<ref name=":3" /> Studies have revealed that the largest delays in seeking [[post-abortion care]] are from adolescents and young adults aged 10-19, and that higher incidents of abortion complications occur within these ages.<ref name=":4" /> While dangerous abortion practices can result in moderate to severe complications such as localized peritonitis and sepsis, maternal deaths have been revealed as a paramount consequence of unsafe abortions.<ref name=":3" />
Article 26 of the 2010 Constitution and its allowance of abortions taking into consideration the health of the mother has prompted public sectors to offer a higher degree of access to abortions.<ref name=":1" /> In this regard, many providers have not been trained properly or are equipped to provide safe services due to the lack of specificities in the constitution and safe practices.<ref name=":3" /> While the constitution allows for abortion under specific circumstances, not all abortions are being administered safely, and due to other cultural implications such as stigmatization, women are still seeking and utilizing life-threatening methods of procuring abortions.<ref name=":02" />
Safe abortions provided by trained professionals in hygienic settings correlate with fewer health risks than unsafe abortion practices.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Chimaraoke O. Izugbara, Carolyne P. Egesa, Caroline W. Kabiru and Estelle M. Sidze|date=December 2017|title=Providers, Unmarried Young Women, and Post-Abortion Care in Kenya|journal=Studies in Family Planning|volume=48|issue=1|doi=10.1111/sifp.2017.48.issue-1|issn=0039-3665}}</ref> Due to the restrictive laws on abortion in Kenya, there continues to be limited access to safe options for women.<ref name=":8" /> As a result, many organizations have called for scaling up the number of safe abortion providers.<ref name=":2" />
=== Family planning and post abortion care === Because the delay in seeking care following safe or unsafe abortion is a cause for higher complications post abortion, there have been pushes to establish more access to family planning and post abortion care in Kenya.<ref name=":4" /> Post abortion care tends to refer to emergency medical treatment, but also incorporates family planning for the patient.<ref name=":02" /> In combination, these services include counseling, education about reproductive health, and distribution of contraceptives.<ref name=":02" /> A suggested increase in family planning in Kenya may also curb repeat abortions for some women.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Obare|first1=Francis|last2=Liambila|first2=Wilson|last3=Birungi|first3=Harriet|date=2014-09-22|title=Family planning counselling and use among clients seeking abortion services in private health facilities in Kenya|url=http://aps.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/615|journal=African Population Studies|volume=28|issue=3|page=1274|doi=10.11564/0-0-615|issn=0850-5780|doi-access=free}}</ref>
The 2008-2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey uncovered that 43% of women in Kenya who gave birth in the previous five years from when the report was documented communicated the births as "unwanted or mistimed".<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last1=Chimaraoke Izugbara |last2=Kimani |first2=Elizabeth |last3=Mutua |first3=Michael |last4=Mohamed |first4=Shukri |last5=Adbalah Ziraba |last6=Egesa |first6=Caroline |last7=Hailemichael Gebreselassie |last8=Levandowski |first8=Brooke |last9=Susheela Singh |last10=Akinrinola Bankole |last11=Moore |first11=Ann |date=2013 |title=Incidence and Complications of Unsafe Abortion in Kenya: Key Findings of a National Study |url=http://rgdoi.net/10.13140/RG.2.1.3117.2328 |language=en |doi=10.13140/RG.2.1.3117.2328}}</ref> This statistic reflects the usage, or lack thereof of contraceptives in Kenya.<ref name=":13" /> According to a [[Guttmacher Institute|Guttmacher Institution]] report, 12-17% of poor and uneducated married women use modern contraceptives in Kenya, while 48-52% of wealthy and educated married women in Kenya use and have access to modern birth control methods.<ref name=":12" /> An organization that has addressed these shortages and needs relating to reproductive health is [[Marie Stopes International]].<ref name=":02" /> Since its opening in Kenya in 1985, Marie Stopes has served as the largest reproductive health services and family planning clinic in Kenya.<ref name=":02" /> As reported by Marie Stopes Kenya, in 2019 the health center prevented 180,000 unsafe abortions through post abortion care and family planning.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The challenge|url=https://www.mariestopes.org/the-challenge/|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Marie Stopes International|language=en}}</ref>
Other organizations and activist groups including the [[Center for Reproductive Rights]] and [[International Federation of Women Lawyers|FIDA]] use their resources and legal platforms to fight for more accessible and equitable care for women seeking reproductive health services and abortions in Kenya.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kenya|url=https://www.reproductiverights.org/our-regions/kenya|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Center for Reproductive Rights}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The law, trials and imprisonment for abortion in Kenya|url=https://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/news/the-law-trials-and-imprisonment-for-abortion-in-kenya/|access-date=2020-11-06|website=International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion (SAWR)|date=28 April 2017 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Socio-cultural opinions and impacts on abortion == Reasoning for abortion often varies on a case-to-case basis, but for both married and unmarried Kenyan women, economic objectives are frequently a primary concern.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last1=Baker|first1=Jean|last2=Khasiani|first2=Shanyisa|date=1992|title=Induced Abortion in Kenya: Case Histories|journal=Studies in Family Planning|volume=23|issue=1|pages=34–44|doi=10.2307/1966826|jstor=1966826|pmid=1557793|issn=0039-3665}}</ref> For single women, common reasons also include their single status, unemployment, and economic dependence on a family member that may hinder their desire to bear a child.<ref name=":7" />
=== Stigmatization === There are many cultural stigmas that are associated with women and terminating a pregnancy. In Kenya, both women seeking abortions and abortion providers are met with socio-cultural disgrace and discrimination, and abortion remains a taboo topic across the country.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal|last=Chimaraoke O. Izugbara, Carolyne P. Egesa, Caroline W. Kabiru and Estelle M. Sidze|date=December 2017|title=Providers, Unmarried Young Women, and Post-Abortion Care in Kenya|journal=Studies in Family Planning|volume=48|issue=1|doi=10.1111/sifp.2017.48.issue-1|issn=0039-3665}}</ref> A combination of traditional cultural expectations and religious beliefs formulate stigmas against abortions.<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal|last1=Mohamed|first1=Deeqa|last2=Diamond-Smith|first2=Nadia|last3=Njunguru|first3=Jesse|date=2018|title=Stigma and agency: exploring young Kenyan women's experiences with abortion stigma and individual agency|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=26|issue=52|pages=128–137|doi=10.1080/09688080.2018.1492285|jstor=26605073|pmid=30058955|s2cid=51863361|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref> Many stigmas are based on the belief that a woman's purpose is to bear children and her role in society is to be a mother.<ref name=":03" /> In regards to young girls and adolescents, there are social and cultural expectations that young people should refrain from sexual activity and maintain innocence.<ref name=":22" />
Research has revealed that young, unmarried women from lower socioeconomic classes feel a higher burden from these cultural stigmas.<ref name=":03" /> The same research has also revealed that stigma is a root cause for reluctance and untimeliness of seeking post-abortion care.<ref name=":03" />
==Statistics== On the continent of Africa as a whole, 97% of abortions are unsafely performed.<ref name=":42">{{Cite journal|last1=Mutua|first1=Michael M.|last2=Maina|first2=Beatrice W.|last3=Achia|first3=Thomas O.|last4=Izugbara|first4=Chimaraoke O.|date=2015|title=Factors associated with delays in seeking post abortion care among women in Kenya|url= |journal=BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|page=241|doi=10.1186/s12884-015-0660-7|issn=1471-2393|pmc=4597436|pmid=26445973 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Unsafe abortion is predicted to account for 35% of maternal deaths in Kenya, whereas in East Africa as a whole unsafe abortions account for 18%.<ref name=":04">{{Cite journal|last1=Mohamed|first1=Deeqa|last2=Diamond-Smith|first2=Nadia|last3=Njunguru|first3=Jesse|date=2018|title=Stigma and agency: exploring young Kenyan women's experiences with abortion stigma and individual agency|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=26|issue=52|pages=128–137|doi=10.1080/09688080.2018.1492285|jstor=26605073|pmid=30058955|s2cid=51863361|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref>
A survey of 2012 by the [[Ministry of Health (Kenya)|Kenyan Ministry of Health]], [[African Population and Health Research Center]] and [[International Public Sector Accounting Standards|IPSAS]] found that there were 464,000 abortions induced that year, which translates to an abortion rate of 48 per 1,000 women aged 15–49; and an abortion ratio of 30 per 100 live births. A study analyzing this survey reveals of the reported abortions in 2012, 116,000 of them, nearly 25%, were treated for complications.<ref name=":04" /> Within the women who faced complications from abortions, 87,000 of cases were moderate to severe complications, and 40,000 of the complications were experienced by women who were 19 years old and younger.<ref name=":04" /> Hospital-based data reveals that between 2004 and 2012 the estimated number of induced abortions increased in Kenya.<ref name=":15">{{Cite journal|last1=Marlow|first1=Heather M|last2=Wamugi|first2=Sylvia|last3=Yegon|first3=Erick|last4=Fetters|first4=Tamara|last5=Wanaswa|first5=Leah|last6=Msipa-Ndebele|first6=Sinikiwe|date=2014|title=Women's perceptions about abortion in their communities: perspectives from western Kenya|journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=22|issue=43|pages=149–158|doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(14)43758-3|jstor=43288343|pmid=24908466|s2cid=14166131|issn=0968-8080|doi-access=free}}</ref> About half (49%) of all pregnancies in Kenya were unintended and 41% of unintended pregnancies ended in an abortion.<ref name="j" /> [[Marie Stopes International]] estimates that 2,600 women die from unsafe abortions annually, an average seven deaths a day.<ref name="theg_Keny" /> Nearly 120,000 women are hospitalized each year due to abortion-related complications.<ref name="j" />
The publication of the 2012 survey in 2018<ref name="voan_Keny">{{Cite web |title=Kenya Debate Ignites Over Issue of Unsafe Abortions |last=Ombuor |first=Rael |work=[[Voice of America|VOA]] |date=7 February 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBEgbyktFUk}}</ref> and the death of activist [[Caroline Mwatha]] in February 2019 following an unsafe abortion<ref name="stan_Post">{{Cite web |title=Post-abortion care in a land where it is illegal |last=Mboga |first=Jael |work=The Standard |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019 |url= https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001314622/post-abortion-care-in-a-land-where-it-is-illegal }}</ref> brought the debate on abortion to the forefront in 2019.
== See also == * [[Health in Kenya]] * [[Women in Kenya]]
==References== {{RefList}} {{Abortion}} {{Abortion in Africa}} [[Category:Health in Kenya]] [[Category:Abortion by country|Kenya]] [[Category:Abortion in Africa|Kenya]]