This archive report was first published on 4 October 2021.
Kenya's high infant mortality rate has been a pressing concern, with the country ranking 49th in the world in terms of infant deaths per 1,000 births, according to the CIA World Fact Book.
Recently, celebrity mothers Size 8 Reborn and Auntie Jemimah shared their personal struggles with miscarriage, highlighting the need for improved reproductive health services in the country.
Size 8 Reborn, a gospel singer, lost her unborn baby due to high blood pressure and fluctuating body temperatures, while Auntie Jemimah, a comedienne and radio presenter, suffered a miscarriage at 34 weeks.
"My blood pressure hit high levels and it was abnormal. Doctors tried all their best to bring it down but it still kept fluctuating which was dangerous," Size 8 Reborn said in a statement.
"My girl arrived at 34 weeks, sleeping. I held her in my arms and said goodbye. I am broken, oh so broken that there was nothing I could do to bring her back to life," Auntie Jemimah wrote on social media.
The tragic losses of these two celebrity mothers have sparked a debate on reproductive health in Kenya, with many calling for improved access to medical care and education on healthy pregnancy practices.
According to the Kenya Medical Research Institute, about nine out of ten neonatal deaths in the country are preventable, highlighting the need for better healthcare services and awareness campaigns.
Dr. Ong'ech Odero, a medical specialist at Nairobi Reproductive Health Services, emphasized the importance of freezing eggs as an option for women facing fertility issues, particularly those with cancer or undergoing chemotherapy.
However, the lack of clear laws governing surrogacy in Kenya has led to numerous court cases and disputes surrounding parental rights and responsibilities.
Christabel Kaiwa, a law reform expert at the Kenya Law Reforms Commission, stressed the need for public education on the legal rights and responsibilities surrounding surrogacy arrangements.
A proposed Bill, the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2019, aims to establish a regulatory body to oversee assisted reproduction and surrogacy practices in Kenya.
