The discovery of two fully developed foetuses dumped along a city roadside has reignited debate over Kenya’s abortion laws and the silent crisis facing women with unwanted pregnancies.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, visibly shaken by the incident, said the scene was traumatic and emblematic of a much deeper national problem. She questioned whether the foetuses were the result of a miscarriage or a desperate, unsafe abortion adding that possibility points to a woman suffering in silence.

“We may never know what happened, but what we do know is that a woman may be out there bleeding, emotionally and physically, with nowhere to turn. She needs care not condemnation,” she posted on X.

Abortion in Kenya remains a criminal offence, except under limited circumstances outlined in Article 26(4) of the Constitution. It is only permitted if, in the opinion of a trained health professional, the mother’s life or health is at risk, or if allowed under another written law.

However, the legal framework remains vague on cases involving rape, poverty, or other social hardships.

Passaris argues that the current laws do little to protect vulnerable women and instead push them toward unsafe, illegal procedures that often lead to severe health complications or death.

“Unwanted pregnancies are a reality. So is poverty. So is fear. When we criminalize access to safe healthcare, we drive women to desperation—and the results end up on our streets and in our conscience,” she said.

Her remarks have sparked national conversation, with supporters advocating for access to safe and legal abortion as a way to save lives and protect women’s dignity. Detractors, however, have pushed back, citing moral and religious objections.

Yet, the numbers paint a grim picture.

Over 792,000 induced abortions were reported in Kenya in 2023 alone, according to recent studies.

Many of these cases resulted in complications requiring urgent medical care.

Unsafe abortions continue to be a leading cause of preventable maternal deaths, with at least 2,600 women dying annually.

The tragedy that moved Passaris is not isolated.

In Tharaka Nithi County, six infants were abandoned in just one month five were found dead. County officials raised the alarm, calling for investigations into what they suspect could be a broader crisis driven by stigma, poverty, and lack of reproductive health support.

“The rest were already dead. Only one was rescued alive,” said Kelly Karimi, the county’s Chief Officer for Children, Gender and Community Welfare.

Passaris is now calling on lawmakers and government agencies to prioritize post-abortion care, reduce stigma, and expand access to reproductive health services for all women regardless of their circumstances.

“The tiny souls found on that roadside deserved love, not abandonment. And the woman behind that act deserved help, not shame. We must stop looking away. We need systems that offer care, dignity, and real choices before more lives are lost,” she said.

For many Kenyan women, the choice is not between life and death but between danger and despair. Passaris’ call is clear: it’s time for the country to face the painful truths hiding behind silence, shame, and outdated laws.