Countering ICPD25: Reactions to President Kenyatta’s Keynote Address

The petition urged Kenya’s President not to support ICPD25 agenda related to sexuality rights that imply permitting abortion and the use of contraceptives.

Ms. Kioko explained, “On Monday, we presented a petition to the President of Kenya and we asked him when he goes to that conference, he does not discuss abortion agenda, and comprehensive sexuality education and monitoring his statements, his speech, we are happy with it because he was very careful.”.  

She added, “He asserted that whatever happens, whatever commitments and whatever, Kenya, will carry forward with what has to be within the cultural context and within the law of Kenya, which is very strong. So even if they want to impose abortion and homosexuality, it has to be within the Kenyan law and we know that in Kenya it is illegal.”

The Vice Secretary Kenya Catholic Doctors Association, Dr. Wahome Ngari also added his voice of satisfaction with the president’s statement saying, “I was very happy that he started and ended by emphasizing that they will only follow through on commitments that are keeping with our constitution and keeping with our culture and national ethos.”

In the view of Dr. Eda Beauttah and Dr. Theresa Okafor, the President’s statement showed that he listened to the people.

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According to Dr. Beauttah, “I think our lobbying has really worked because he didn't endorse the ICPD 25 wholesale. What he said is that I will only support the following, you know, like we need to reduce FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and other things like that.”

“The President said that we will only accept the things in this agreement that are in line with our constitution and without values, which means of course, the LGBT issue is out, gay marriage is out,” Dr. Beauttah added.

“The President made some commitments and those commitments were in the area of health, education and ensuring that Female Genital Mutilation is totally eradicated. Yes, we are happy,” Dr. Okafor said.

However, expressing dissatisfaction with part of the president’s statement, Dr. Beauttah said, “The problem that I have with his speech is that the word reproductive health is still there.”

She explained, “World Health Organization (WHO) has redefined reproductive health to include safe abortion services. We need to really work on this constitution and change that, remove the word reproductive health.”

“It used to mean having a healthy reproductive system but now what it means is having access to, what they call safe abortion, which doesn't exist because the baby always dies and the mother is always harmed usually psychologically as well as physically,” Dr. Beauttah added.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.