Kenya Bans Marie Stopes from Offering Abortions

27.11.2018

Authorities in Kenya have banned abortion business Marie Stopes from offering any form of abortion services. The Medical Practitioners Board says it made the decision after investigating complaints that the group’s adverts were promoting abortion. Abortion is illegal in Kenya unless a mother’s health is in danger. Marie Stopes claims it operates within the law, offering counselling services including post-abortion care.

A letter sent from the Medical Practitioners Board to Marie Stopes says, “Marie Stopes Kenya is hereby directed to immediately cease and desist offering any form of abortion services in all its facilities within the republic.” Marie Stopes was also instructed to file a weekly report on all services rendered in its facilities for 60 days.

The board says it acted on complaints from, among others, Ann Kioko, of pro-life campaign group CitizenGo Africa, and Ezekiel Mutua, head of the Kenya Film Classification Board. Mr Mutua welcomed the ban. He said the adverts Marie Stopes were running had “not been approved by the board and they were unprofessional - they were almost making it look cool to have an abortion.”

The Kenyan branch of Marie Stopes has been active in the country since 1985, running 22 clinics and 15 mobile outreach clinics. It is the “go-to” facility for women with unwanted pregnancies, according to local newspaper Sunday Nation.

BBC. November 18.