Although abortion is illegal in Kenya, a number of Kenyans are in support of the act and even campaigning that it should be legalized in the country.
The debate is intertwined in other related factors such as religion, morality, the law, perception, among other believes including the aspect of culture. This makes it difficult to perceive it in one voice and view it as an independent entity.
This debate has intensified following the recent ban by Kenyan doctors on the Marie Stopes health facility to bar them from giving any abortion services within Kenya after an uproar and public complaints.
The health facility is popularly known for sexual reproductive health services and have recently advertised the abortion service on their website which was strongly criticized by the moral police Dr. Ezekiel Mutua leading to the ban of their advert by Kenya Film Classification Board.
But what are Kenyans saying about abortion? Beyond the laws.. and beyond morality what then has more weight? the dark and dangerous consequences or the fact that Kenyan girls will be forced to seek these services by all means?
I dont support #MarieStopesAbortionsBan. Prohibiting abortions doesn’t stop abortions!women will simply seek abortions via illegal means which are unsafe!It’s high time we legalize abortion.
— Watiri (@voluptaz) November 16, 2018
@EzekielMutua banning abortions does not stop them from happening. Women are at the risk of dying everyday for seeking illegal abortions , but you’d rather women die than legalize abortion ? Weird flex but ok. #MarieStopesAbortionsBan
— Wacuks ? (@wacuka_) November 16, 2018
Mariestopes who offered safe abortion services now closed. Our girls now back to using cloth hangers, wires and overdosing alkalis in their quests to terminate unwanted pregnancies.#MarieStopesAbortionsBan
— Dr. mwazighe A. MWAMBURI ?? (@abbah_mwamburi) November 16, 2018
This not the only concern since it is faced with strong opposition with sensitive emotions shared “Abortion can torment you for the rest of your life,you might not be able to give birth forever, anytime you might be going through some difficulty inyour life the kid you aborted would have helped you if he was alive”
The uproar continues as Kenyans demand a solution with the fear that the ban will only increase the risk of death to ladies who use unsafe methods to procure abortion.
What do you think will be the best solution for these raised concerns? should abortion be legalized?