Kenyans want abortion group’s license revoked for illegal abortion ads

Notorious abortion organization Marie Stopes International has once again outraged the people of Kenya; now, Kenyans are signing a petition to have the organization’s license permanently revoked. In Kenya, abortion is illegal, except if the life of the mother is at risk — and yet, The Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Board (MPDB) has accused Marie Stopes of advertising for abortion.

“Attention of the Board has been drawn to various advertisements by Marie Stopes Kenya which are being broadcast through Radio Africa’s Classic FM and Capital FM which advocate for abortion,” a letter from the MPDB read. “The board notes the adverts contravene Article 26 of Kenya’s Constitution and MPDB advertising rule of 2016. You are invited to attend meeting as a complainant. We would be glad to have your written statement or any material evidence on the above matter submitted to the board by close of business Tuesday, November 6.”

“Today Marie Stopes clinics are advertising abortions just like you would advertise candy in a nation where abortion is not only illegal but has a strong pro-life culture,” the letter said in a scathing indictment of Marie Stopes’ insistence on promoting abortion, despite Kenyan laws banning it.

READ: Shock report: Marie Stopes UK clinics coerced women to abort, threw babies in trash

Anne Kioko, campaigns manager of CitizenGO, confirmed that she read the letter and noted that a petition has been launched, saying, “We look forward to making sure Marie Stopes obey the laws and stop abortions in Kenya. This is the petition that has almost 5,000 signatures now.” CitizenGO delivered the petition to Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, which also demanded that Marie Stopes has their license to practice in Kenya revoked.

“Your excellency, Marie Stopes has been notorious in offering medical and surgical abortions in all their clinics in the country, a business that is doing so well under your watch. We demand for immediate investigation of their activities. We demand the clinics be banned from operating in the country and managers charged,” the petition reads.

Marie Stopes previously came under fire for giving young girls long-acting birth control without parental permission. The insistence of western organizations on promoting abortion and birth control in Africa, despite the pervasive pro-life culture there, has led many to accuse them of eugenics and colonization, especially Obianuju Ekeocha, an African scientist and pro-life activist. Ekeocha recently tweeted about how Rwanda broke world records with the highest number of women elected to their parliament, and yet organizations like Marie Stopes continue to insist abortion is what African women need.

Women, whether in Africa or elsewhere, need education, support, and resources — tools to empower them to not feel that they have to choose between their child and their future. Abortion doesn’t solve the problems women face. It just adds more pain and trauma to an already difficult situation.