MOMBASA, Kenya – Health experts are urging urgent legal reforms to Kenya’s age of consent laws, warning that current restrictions are denying adolescents access to essential contraceptive services, despite rising cases of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Speaking at the 8th Pan-African Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Scientific Conference in Mombasa, reproductive health nurse Beverline Anyango Polet described the legal framework as contradictory and harmful.
“We’re told parental consent is mandatory for those under 18, yet the same law says only individuals aged 18 and above can give valid consent. So what do we do when a 15-year-old who’s sexually active comes in? Do we turn them away?” she posed.
Healthcare Workers Caught Between Law and Ethics
Polet, who also serves on the board of the Reproductive Health Network, said many healthcare workers are grappling with a moral and legal dilemma—between adhering to existing statutes and protecting the reproductive rights of adolescents.
She decried the widespread stigma and discrimination young girls face when seeking contraceptives, saying judgmental attitudes within health facilities discourage them from seeking further help.
“Teen pregnancies remain high, and many end in unsafe abortions. Without reform, poor reproductive health outcomes among adolescents will persist,” she warned.
Legal Experts Join the Call
Allan Maleche, Executive Director of the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network (KELIN), echoed Polet’s concerns, saying Kenya’s current approach to age of consent and service access is overly rigid.
“We can’t rely on age alone. We must consider whether the adolescent is sexually active, at risk of abuse, and whether they have adequate information to make informed decisions,” he said.
Maleche emphasised the urgent need for policy alignment and legal protections for healthcare providers who act in good faith.
Funding and Justice Gaps Highlighted
With a decline in foreign donor support for sexual and reproductive health programs, Maleche said it was critical for national and county governments to increase public funding for adolescent health services.
He also highlighted weaknesses in the justice system, saying survivors of sexual abuse often endure long delays and impunity.
“It’s no longer enough to promote abstinence. Young people need access to services, information, and laws that protect—not punish—them,” he added.
Involve the Youth in Shaping Their Future
Both Polet and Maleche stressed the need for meaningful youth participation in developing sexual and reproductive health policies.
“Adolescents must be at the table. They must help shape the solutions that affect their lives,” said Polet.
The conference brought together health professionals, legal experts, policymakers, and youth advocates from across Africa to address challenges and share innovations in adolescent and youth reproductive health.
