Abortion in Kenya

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In Kenya, abortion is permitted if, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law. Nevertheless, unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Kenya.

Is Abortion Legal in Kenya?

Abortion in Kenya is restricted by Article 26(4) of the constitution which states that, “Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law. [1]

What Types of Abortion are Available in Kenya?

Both medical and in-clinic abortions are available in Kenya.

What is the abortion rate in Kenya? How Many Women Have Abortions?

According to a national wide study conducted in Kenya in 2012, there are 48 induced abortions per 1000 women of reproductive age(15-49) and an induced abortion rate of 30 per every 100 births. In total an estimated 464,690 abortions also happened within the same year and thus numbers can be used to project the number of abortions that have happened in the consequent years. [2]

Abortion with Pills (Medical Abortion) in Kenya

Are the Abortion Pills (Mifepristone and Misoprostol) Available in Kenya?

Yes. Both misoprostol and mifepristone are available for sale in Kenya.

How Late Into a Pregnancy Can the Abortion Pills Be Used?

Abortion with pills in Kenya is allowed upto 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Do I Need a Prescription for Mifepristone? Misoprostol?

A prescription from a qualified abortion service providers is needed in order to access abortion pills in Kenya. However, there also exist health intermediaries to help women to access this pills safely without a prescription.

What Brands of Abortion Pill Are Popular in Kenya?

Combination Kits-Ma-Kare, Marisprist, Miso only- Miso-Kare, Cytotec

ma-kare drug price and how to use it in kenya
How to use miso-kare tablets in Kenya
how to use cytotec for abortion in Kenya
mariprist pill price in kenya

How Much Do the Abortion Pills Cost in Kenya?

Abortion pills in Kenya cost between kes1500 and kes10,000 Shillings.

Who Can I Contact for More Information on Abortion in Kenya?

In-Clinic Abortion in Kenya

What are the Different Types of in-Clinic Abortion Procedures Available in Kenya?

Manual Vacuum aspiration (MVA) abortion
Electric Vacuum Evacuation (EVA) abortion
Dilatation and evacuation (D&E) abortion

Where Can I get a Manual Vacum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion in Kenya?

All health care facilities with a professional abortion service providers as defined by the Kenyan laws

How Much Does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Cost in Kenya?

Cost is usually determined by the health care provider and may start from 5000 to anything above 30,000 Kenya shillings

How to get further information?

For additional information and support, you can get in touch with our trained multilingual female counselors

Learn about abortion in your country

Authors:

by the safe2choose team and supporting experts at carafem, based on the 2019 recommendations by Ipas, and the 2012 recommendations by the WHO.