Kenya's High Court has ruled that teenagers should no longer face criminal charges for consensual sexual relationships with peers, in a decision rights groups are hailing as a landmark victory for adolescent rights. The case was brought by the Centre for Reproductive Rights on behalf of three teenagers, including a 17-year-old boy charged with defilement — an offence carrying up to 15 years in prison under current Kenyan law — after police found him living with his 16-year-old partner. The court ordered authorities to distinguish between abusive and consensual teenage relationships, and directed the government to expand access to sexual and reproductive health education, a move advocates say is critical in a country where such topics remain deeply sensitive and an estimated 800,000 abortions occur annually.