The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has honoured the late Mental Health Policy and Advocacy Specialist Charity Muturi.
Charity was a co-petitioner in a case whose ruling is set to be made on Wednesday, November 21.
The petition seeks to among others, declare Section 226 of the Penal Code that decriminalizes attempted suicide in Keny unconstitutional.
However, as the country awaits the landmark ruling, KNCHR has celebrated the mental health champion, remembering her as a change-maker and a true human rights warrior.
“As we await the judgement, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights honour’s the life and dedication of Ms Charity Muturi, as a true champion and advocate of mental health in the country who passed away one week ago.
“Her passion saw her serve at the Task Force on Mental Health in Kenya, the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Global Advisory Board,” a statement from KNCHR read in part.
Also Read: Kenyans Mourn Death of Renowned Mental Health Champion
Celebrating and Honoring Charity Muturi
Additionally, the commission has celebrated Charity for her relentless drive for change through the petition.
Her footprints, notes the humanitarian organization, will remain etched in the mental health rights advocacy journey in Kenya for a lifetime.
Through her advocacy, she highlighted the urgent need for community-based mental health interventions and ensured that conversations about mental health reached the forefront of national discourse.
“In her honour and for tirelessly raising awareness in a bid to eliminate stigma and discrimination against mental health conditions, the Commission reiterates the need for full implementation of the Mental Health Act (revised in 2022)
“And prioritization of mental health interventions at the community level as this would ensure that mental health service users access a range of community-based mental health services and support systems,” added the statement.
Also Read: Alarm Raised on Mental Health Crisis in Kenya as Professionals Blame Ruto Govt
Her Life and Death
Charity passed away on November 7.
She was a dedicated mental health advocate and policy leader, driven by her personal experiences with a mental health condition and her role as a caregiver for parents living with eight non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Moreover, she served as a representative of the NCD Alliance Global Advisory Committee at esteemed platforms such as the UN General Assembly, WHO, World Bank, World Health Summit, Global United for Mental Health, African Union, and Africa CDC.
She was instrumental in elevating mental health to the ranks of the top five NCDs globally, alongside diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Her advocacy was centered on ensuring sustainable patient inclusion in health policy and service delivery under the guiding principle, “Nothing for Us Without Us!”, a vision she co-authored in a UN publication.
In Kenya, Charity championed patient representation by influencing their inclusion in eight national health policy committees. She also led patients in delivering ten critical policy submissions to the National Assembly and Senate, leaving a lasting impact on health governance in the country.
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