Suicide/Star illustrationsThe Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called on Parliament to fast-track the repeal of the law criminalising attempted suicide, saying people experiencing mental health distress need care and support rather than punishment.
The Commission wants the National Assembly to expedite the enactment of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal Section 226 of the Penal Code.
KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah made the call on September 10, 2026, as Kenya joined the global community in marking World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.
The 2026 commemoration marks the third and final year of the 2024-2026 global campaign, which carries the call to action “Start the Conversation”.
According to KNCHR, the call is intended to encourage individuals, communities, organisations, partners and Government to promote open dialogue, challenge stigma and discrimination, and strengthen accessible and responsive support systems.
The Commission said the issue of suicide should not be viewed only as a public health concern but also as a human rights matter.
“The High Court's decision to decriminalise attempted suicide affirms the fundamental rights to human dignity, equality, health, and freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” KNCHR said.
The Commission said the decision recognised that people experiencing mental health distress require care, support and protection rather than punishment.
The High Court declared Section 226 of the Penal Code unconstitutional in January 2025 following a petition coordinated by KNCHR, the Kenya Psychiatric Association and the late Charity Muturi.
KNCHR described the ruling as an important affirmation of the rights to dignity, health, equality and non-discrimination.
It also honoured Muturi for her advocacy for accessible, equitable and rights-based mental health services, noting that she died before witnessing the judgment.
The Commission said the ongoing legislative efforts to repeal Section 226 build on the Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2022, which recognises suicidal ideation as a mental health condition rather than a criminal offence.
It also pointed to the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-2026 and the 2024 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Common Mental Disorders as measures supporting a shift towards a rights-based approach to mental health.
However, KNCHR said significant gaps remain despite progress in law and policy.
The Ministry of Health estimates that four people die by suicide every day in Kenya, while hundreds of suicide attempts are reported annually.
KNCHR said the lack of a national suicide registry and persistent stigma mean the available figures are likely to understate the scale of the crisis.
The Commission said its previous monitoring of health facilities had also demonstrated the burden of mental health conditions on outpatient and inpatient services across the country.
It identified chronic underfunding of mental health services, inadequate staffing and limited access to community-based care as some of the challenges affecting access to support.
“Despite notable progress in law and policy, the Commission notes that the benefits of these efforts remain largely out of reach for many people, particularly at the community level,” KNCHR said.
The Commission also raised concern over stigma and discrimination in homes, schools, workplaces and places of worship, as well as in some reporting of suicide cases.
It said young people, survivors of trauma and gender-based violence, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups remain particularly vulnerable.
KNCHR has also called for a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy after the current 2021-2026 strategy ends.
It wants the Ministry of Health to evaluate the implementation and impact of the existing strategy before developing a comprehensive successor.
The Commission further wants the Ministry and county governments to establish and strengthen national and county-level suicide registration and surveillance systems.
It said such systems should protect privacy, dignity and confidentiality while generating reliable and disaggregated data to guide prevention and response measures.
County governments have also been urged to fully integrate mental health services into primary healthcare, particularly at community level and in underserved areas.
KNCHR said this should be supported by adequate budgetary allocations, trained personnel and specialised services for high-risk and vulnerable groups.
The Commission also called for safer reporting of suicide cases by the media, in line with World Health Organisation standards.
It said reporting should be accurate and compassionate, while avoiding sensational or graphic content and providing information on available support services.
KNCHR said changing the narrative on suicide requires sustained action rather than a one-off campaign.
“Changing the narrative on suicide cannot be a one-off event,” the Commission said.
It called for a shift from “silence, stigma, shame and misunderstanding” towards openness, empathy, understanding and support.
KNCHR said Kenya’s decriminalisation of attempted suicide demonstrates that positive change is possible.
The Commission said it remains committed to working with the Government, mental health practitioners, survivors and communities to advance a rights-based approach to mental health and strengthen access to appropriate support.
As Kenya marks World Suicide Prevention Day, KNCHR urged continued efforts to uphold the right to life, dignity, health, equality and non-discrimination for all.
