On Tuesday the 26th of March 2019, the Standard reported that a three judge bench at the Court of Appeal, constituted by Justices Roselyn Nambuye, Daniel Musinga and Patrick Kiage, proposed that the age of consent be lowered to 16 by amending the Sexual Offences Act, citing lengthy jail terms imposed on young men convicted of defilement.

We’re joined by Judy Gitau, the Africa Regional Co-ordinator of Equality Now to discuss consent, the age of consent, its importance, and the potential impact of lowering it.

Resources

Criminal Appeal 102 of 2016 [The Ruling that proposed the lowering of the age of consent]

Court proposes lowering sex consent age to 16 years

Sexual Offences Act (2006)

What is sexual consent?

Why the age of sexual consent continues to be a worldwide challenge

Close in Age Exemptions / Romeo and Juliet Laws

What are the Romeo and Juliet Laws

Episode 81: Abortion and Reproductive Healthcare

Episode 88: Human Trafficking in Kenya

Image Credit: Social Documentary Centre