Kenya is facing a concerning reproductive health crisis, with a new report revealing that more than 792,000 induced abortions took place between April 2023 and May 2024. The findings, jointly released by the Ministry of Health, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the Guttmacher Institute, underscore a growing public health issue that continues to affect women across the country.
The report indicates that the rate of induced abortions stands at 57.3 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49. Startlingly, around 80% of those who terminated pregnancies were married or living with a partner, and 65% were already mothers — many with two or more children.
“Some women seek abortions not because they don’t want children, but because they already have the number they can manage,” explained Margaret Giorgio, a senior researcher at the Guttmacher Institute. “Economic pressure and high child-rearing costs play a significant role.”
One of the key drivers of abortion, the study found, is unintended pregnancy. Over 66% of the women who had an abortion were not using contraception at the time, largely due to concerns about side effects and overall health fears.
While most women used one method to terminate a pregnancy, about 14% reported using multiple methods, sometimes up to four. Worryingly, 7.8% admitted to using dangerous methods such as inserting sharp objects or ingesting harmful chemicals.
Only 18% of primary healthcare facilities and 24% of referral centres are equipped to offer post-abortion care, a critical gap in the country’s healthcare system. Nairobi and Central Kenya recorded the highest rates of abortion, with Coast and North Eastern regions showing the lowest numbers.
Kenneth Juma of APHRC emphasized the need for greater awareness and access to modern contraceptives to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
