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A proposal in a Bill seeking to provide children as young as 10 years with condoms and birth control pills has sparked outrage.
That parental consent is not mandatory for the children to access the contraceptives has intensified opposition to the Reproductive Health Care Bill 2014, which is before the Senate.
The Bill sponsored by nominated Senator Judith Sijeny suggests that adolescents be given unhindered access to ‘comprehensive sexual education and confidential services.’
The relevant provision explicitly lists contraceptives as one of the essential inclusions, alongside information on pregnancy and abortion.
The Bill describes adolescents as persons in Kenya who are aged between 10 and 17, a group essentially between class five and Form Three.
“In the provision of reproductive health services to adolescents, parental consent is not mandatory,” it says.
Yesterday, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the ministry would not allow “introduction of immorality” to young school children by any institution or law.
Good values
“My ministry has an obligation to educate all children and promote good values and we will not be dragged in attempts to propagate bad teachings in schools,” Prof Kaimenyi said.
The Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association (KNPTA) also termed as ‘unfortunate’ the proposals in the Bill.
KNPTA National Chairman Nathan Barasa said parents read mischief in the Bill.
“Is there something hidden in this? Is someone trying to create a market for some foreign companies? We cannot allow this and that is the stand of all parents,” said Mr Barasa.
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