By Mr Richard Kakeeto
During the Universal Periodic Review of Kenya, the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum, together with Christian Council International, delivered a statement on the right to life and education in Kenya.
The full statement reads as follows (the last part was not shared with the UN):
Thank you madam president,
This statement is delivered on behalf of the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum and Christian Council International.
We are concerned about Kenya’s support for six nuanced recommendations related to ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services for all. We trust that the implementation of these recommendations will be guided by the relevant and commendably noted recommendations, as well as Kenya’s constitutional framework and values.
Kenya is under no international obligation to legalize abortion, nor to impose a value-less and now contested Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) on children. We emphasize that parental involvement in decisions concerning the health and education of their children is guaranteed in international human rights law and must be respected, protected and promoted.
Kenya’s Constitution clearly protects the right to life from conception to natural death by expressly prohibiting abortion. Exceptions are only with respect to a professional opinion of a trained health practitioner indicating that the life or health of the mother is in danger. We urge Kenya to document and review all such cases and opinions to ensure that this exception is not misapplied or abused against the right to life.
A 2023 study conducted in western Kenya titled “The Unmet Need for Comprehensive Sexuality Education” revealed that just eight hours of CSE exposure made school-going teenagers more likely to suggest abortion and contraception. This points to a model of sexuality education that generates demand for services, rather than one promoting sexual risk avoidance.
We therefore call on the government of Kenya to:
- Guarantee the participation of parents and faith communities in the development of any content on human sexuality,
- Require express parental consent before exposing children to any CSE content with an option for opting out.
Finally, we commend the adoption of the National Reproductive Health Policy (2022–2032) and the National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection (2023). We urge their full implementation as frameworks that advance human dignity, family values, and the strengthening of Kenyan society.
I thank you madam president.