This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
On August 10, 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded in the Kenyan Parliament, sparking widespread outrage and debate.
Members of Parliament (MPs) ejected a female colleague from the debating chamber for breastfeeding her five-month-old child, leaving many to question the country's values and priorities.
The incident has sparked a heated discussion about the importance of breastfeeding and the need to support lactating mothers in the workplace.
According to health experts, breastfeeding is essential for the development and well-being of infants, and it is recommended that mothers breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months of life.
However, in Kenya, breastfeeding in public is often stigmatized, and mothers are often forced to hide or leave public spaces to feed their children.
The incident has also raised questions about the country's laws and policies regarding breastfeeding and working mothers.
While the Kenyan government has introduced policies to support working mothers, including the provision of breastfeeding facilities in public spaces, more needs to be done to address the stigma and discrimination faced by lactating mothers.
As one commentator noted, 'If we hate our babies so much as to not want to see them enjoying their natural food in public, why do we still engage in the business of procreation?'
