Kenya's Ministry of Health is facing criticism for its handling of reproductive health, particularly in regards to young people. The country has seen a significant increase in teenage pregnancy, sexual violence, and other health issues, yet the Ministry's policies seem to be stuck in the past.
According to the National AIDS Control Council, Kenya recorded 45,724 cases of teenage pregnancy between January and February 2022 alone. This is a stark reminder of the need for effective reproductive health interventions, particularly for adolescents and young people.
However, the Ministry's approach to reproductive health is often at odds with the needs of young people. Dr. Stephen Kaliti, the Head of the Reproductive and Maternal unit at the Ministry of Health, has been quoted as saying that children should be allowed to be children and not be engaged on sex. This statement is not only out of touch with the realities of young people's lives but also contradicts the Ministry's own guidance.
The National Family Planning Service Guidelines state that family planning service providers have a duty to ensure equitable access to services for all, including groups with special needs, including adolescents and young people. Article 43(1) of the Kenyan constitution stipulates that every person has a right to receive the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive health care. This includes adolescents who are sexually active.
It is time for the Ministry of Health to acknowledge the lived realities of young people and provide reproductive health information and services. Policymakers, especially the Ministry of health, must develop and review policies devoid of religious biases and based on evidence, data, research, and the ever-evolving lived realities of young people.
By refusing to recommit to the Eastern and Southern Comprehensive Sexuality Education regional policy, the Ministry of Health has handed young people no tools to protect themselves. The Ministry is currently reviewing the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (NASRH) policy, and we urge them to prioritize the needs of young people.
