Shield women from avoidable deaths

FIDA Vice Chair Nancy Ikuni and Africa, Centre for Reproductive Rights senior regional director Evelyne Opondo during a joint presser on the Abortion Rule judgment. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Nine years ago, the country was embroiled in an intense debate over whether to ratify the then draft constitution or not. The opposition to its passage was led by religious groups against the provision that would allow pregnant women to access abortion when a trained health professional deemed their life or health to be in danger.

The groups argued that Kenyan women would now access abortion anytime, anywhere and the procedure could be performed by any hospital worker. The Kenyan people, however, on August 4, 2010, passed the Constitution with a resounding 67 per cent in favoor of the ratification.