Kihika's US-born twins and the question of reproductive justice

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika's absence for five months has sparked concerns from constituents who have demanded her return to duty. [File, Standard]

Two events in the past month have called into question who exactly gets to access their reproductive rights, and what group of women does not. The first was the discovery, rather than the official announcement, that Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika had travelled to Texas, in the United States, to give birth to twin children. That she left her home country to have her children abroad raises questions. That she is yet to return months later is worrying, especially to residents of Nakuru County. Some have called for Kihika's impeachment over her long absence. But women leaders have opposed this and other negative sentiments, citing the legal entitlement of women to maternity leave.

The second notable event was the announcement by celebrated author and feminist icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that she also had twins last year. This news came in the wake of the release of Adichie's long awaited novel. Questions were raised on how she was able to birth both a novel and twins. In response, Adichie made it clear that it was an impossible feat, and that she was able to achieve it only because she had had a surrogate to carry her twins. The news of her use of a surrogate sparked a fierce debate on whether or not surrogacy is a just means of having children, with proponents arguing that it helps those who cannot carry their children. Opponents have argued that surrogacy, more often than not, was exploitative to poor women. In Kenya, the conversation on a surrogacy law is ongoing, fronted by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo. It is necessary that, as a nation, we take this chance to reflect on where we lie regarding the ethics of surrogacy.