Kenyan court rules parts of law criminalising consensual sex between adolescents invalid
A Kenyan court has ruled that certain sections of the Sexual Offences Act cannot apply to minors engaged in consensual sex. This decision is expected to reduce the number of arrests and prosecutions of adolescents for consensual relationships. Rights advocates are calling for further reforms to protect young people and ensure access to health services without fear of legal repercussions.
- ▪A Kenyan court ruled that parts of the Sexual Offences Act are invalid for minors engaging in consensual sex.
- ▪The ruling is anticipated to prevent arrests and prosecutions of adolescents for consensual relationships.
- ▪Rights groups are advocating for reforms to improve access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
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Kenyan court rules parts of law criminalising consensual sex between adolescents invalidSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 21, 2026, 01:39 AMUpdated May 21, 2026, 01:39 AMNAIROBI, May 20 - A Kenyan court ruled on Wednesday that sections of a law targeting sexual offences in the East African nation cannot apply to minors found to have had consensual intercourse, a decision that rights groups expect to set a precedent in how the country handles relationships among adolescents.Rights advocates said the decision would curb arrests and prosecutions of adolescents for consensual peer relationships and force reforms in policing, prosecution and access to confidential youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.The Centre for Reproductive Rights and…
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