The High Court has barred criminalisation of consensual adolescent relationships, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to young people’s rights.

Sex education and the use of contraception remain taboo in many parts of Kenya due to the strong influence of Christian churches.

High Court rules that consensual relationships between minors of close age should not automatically be treated as defilement, urging contextual handling by police and prosecutors.

In a landmark ruling, Kenya’s High Court has declared that young people should no longer face criminal prosecution for consensual under-age sexual relationships, a decision rights…

The two cases have now been stayed and shall not proceed in their current form, Justice Bahati Mwamuye said in his judgement.

The High Court has barred criminalisation of consensual adolescent relationships, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to young people’s rights.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye’s decision this week in HSA, AMO, TA & Another Vs Attorney General on the prosecution of adolescents under the Sexual Offences Act is a welcome relief.