^{TANDAO MEDIA _}A recent report by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) and the Guttmacher Institute, has unveiled concerning statistics on abortion trends in Kenya.

Between April 2023 and May 2024 the country recorded over 792,000 cases of induced abortions a figure translating to 57.3 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-49 years.The findings highlight an urgent need for improved reproductive health policies and interventions.

The report indicates that a majority of women seeking abortions—about 80%—were married or living with a partner. This contradicts the common assumption that unintended pregnancies primarily affect single women. Economic pressures and career aspirations emerged as significant factors influencing decisions to terminate pregnancies.

Additionally,over half of all unintended pregnancies resulted in induced abortions, with 66% of women admitting they were not using contraception due to fear of side effects, misinformation or lack of access to family planning services.

Despite efforts to promote safe medical procedures,7.8% of women reported resorting to dangerous abortion methods , including the use of sharp objects or toxic substances. These unsafe practices pose life-threatening risks exacerbating the burden on Kenya’s healthcare system.Furthermore, the availability of post-abortion care remains limited with only 18% of primary-level health facilities and 24% of referral hospitals offering specialized treatment for complications arising from unsafe abortions.

This leaves many affected women vulnerable, with little access to quality medical care.The study also revealed disparities in abortion rates across different regions.Nairobi and Central Kenya recorded the highest cases of induced abortions, reflecting increased access to medical facilities in urban centers. Conversely, Coast and North Eastern regions reported significantly lower numbers likely due to cultural and religious influences discouraging abortion.Experts Call for Reproductive Health Interventions—Health experts and policymakers are urging the government to strengthen family planning programs , increase sexual education awareness and enhance access to modern contraception to curb the rising numbers of unintended pregnancies.

There is also a growing call for policy reforms that ensure reproductive rights while promoting responsible healthcare measures.The report serves as a wake-up call for Kenya’s health sector emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to reproductive health—one that prioritizes education, access to contraception and comprehensive post-abortion care to safeguard women’s health and rights.