The Ministry of Health (MOH) wants mental health declared a national public health emergency to prevent suicide cases.
Such a declaration signifies that the issue of suicide is going out of control.
Moreover, MOH recommended that attempted suicide be decriminalized in Kenya.
The acting director general for health Patrick Amoth stated that while the move to decriminalize attempted suicide may not directly reduce the cases, it will reduce the stigma and encourage them to seek medical help instead.
Likewise, under Section 226 of the Penal Code, attempted suicide is a misdemeanor punishable by two years’ imprisonment or a fine or both.
Nevertheless, the courts in Kenya have for four years now not jailed anyone under the law. However,they have sent the accused to Mathari Mental Hospital where they are detained for prolonged periods.
While launching the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-2026 on Tuesday, August 2, in Nairobi, Dr. Amoth noted that past attempts to amend the law were unsuccessful.
“We once tried to amend the law but we’re told by the National Assembly Health Committee trying to make major amendments to the penal code was unnecessary,” he said.
Similarly, in 2021, senators moved to remove suicide from the list of crimes in the Penal Code through the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021, sponsored by nominated Senator Abshiro Halake.
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However, the Bill was stuck at second reading before Parliament broke for elections. Unfortunately, it would have to be reintroduced afresh once the new House is constituted.
Furthermore, only about 20 countries in the world still criminalize suicide, an old religious law that descended from Europe in the fifth century.
In addition, the policy estimated that about 1,460 people die by suicide in Kenya every year.
WHO also said that on the global scale, 700,000 persons are estimated to die by suicide every year with most of the deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries.
Nonetheless, President of the Kenya Psychiatrists Association Boniface Chitayi called for more financing for suicide prevention.
“It’s as a result of mental illness and no Kenyan should be punished for attempting suicide. The bottom line of suicidal behavior is mental illness,” he said
“That means Section 226 has no place in Kenyan law. We are moving from punishment as a deterrent and toward scientifically proven means.” He added.