Bill seeks to protect surrogate mothers

Kenya’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2019 which is currently in its second reading, proposes the formation of an Assisted Reproductive Technology Authority that will develop standards, regulations and guidelines on assisted reproduction and establish and maintain a confidential national database of persons receiving or providing sperm and embryos. The Daily Nation reports that it also seeks to regulate the rights and obligations of those involved in the process. Currently, there is no law on surrogacy in Kenya and numerous cases have been filed by surrogate mothers. ‘I know there may be many moral and ethical issues that will be raised, but we cannot bury our heads in the sand. I have read the Bible and I have found nothing that stops assisted reproductive technology,’ said MP Millie Odhiambo who sponsored the Bill.