Kenya’s efforts to prevent suicide are facing a fresh call for legal change, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) urging Parliament to remove attempted suicide from the list of criminal offences.
The Commission wants the National Assembly to move faster on the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes the repeal of Section 226 of the Penal Code.
KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah made the appeal on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during World Suicide Prevention Day, saying the country must move towards helping people facing mental health distress instead of subjecting them to punishment.
This year’s global observance is being held under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and carries the call to action “Start the Conversation”.
The 2026 event marks the final year of the 2024-2026 global campaign, which seeks to promote open discussions about suicide while challenging stigma and discrimination and improving access to support.
KNCHR said suicide should not be treated solely as a public health issue, arguing that the response must also protect the rights of people experiencing mental health challenges.
“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 High Court declared Section 226 unconstitutional in January 2025 after a petition coordinated by KNCHR, the Kenya Psychiatric Association and the late Charity Muturi.
According to the Commission, the ruling reinforced the need to provide people in mental health distress with care, support and protection instead of criminal penalties.
KNCHR also recognised Muturi’s contribution to the campaign for accessible, equitable and rights-based mental health services, noting that she died before the court delivered its decision.
The Commission said the proposed repeal would also build on changes already made through the Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2022, which treats suicidal ideation as a mental health condition and not a criminal offence.
Kenya also has the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-2026 and the 2024 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Common Mental Disorders, which KNCHR said support the move towards a rights-based mental health system.
Despite these measures, however, the Commission said many Kenyans still struggle to access appropriate care.
Ministry of Health estimates indicate that four people die by suicide every day in Kenya, while hundreds of attempts are recorded annually.
KNCHR warned that the true scale could be higher because Kenya does not have a national suicide registry and stigma continues to affect reporting.
The Commission said its monitoring of health facilities had previously shown the pressure mental health conditions place on outpatient and inpatient services in different parts of the country.
It pointed to inadequate financing, insufficient personnel and poor access to community-based services as key obstacles to effective mental health care.
“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.
Stigma and discrimination, the Commission added, remain widespread in homes, schools, workplaces and places of worship.
KNCHR also expressed concern about the way some suicide cases are reported, saying coverage can contribute to stigma when handled poorly.
Young people, survivors of trauma and gender-based violence, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups were identified among those facing greater vulnerability.
With the current Suicide Prevention Strategy due to expire in 2026, KNCHR wants the Ministry of Health to first assess how it has been implemented and its impact before drawing up a replacement.
The Commission is also calling for the creation and strengthening of suicide registration and surveillance systems at national and county levels.
It said the systems should safeguard privacy, dignity and confidentiality while producing reliable and detailed information that can help authorities plan prevention and response measures.
County governments have been urged to make mental health care part of primary healthcare, with particular attention to community services and areas where access remains poor.
KNCHR said this would require sufficient funding, trained health workers and specialised services for groups facing a higher risk.
The Commission further wants the media to follow World Health Organisation standards when reporting suicide.
It called for reports that are factual and compassionate, while avoiding sensational or graphic material and giving audiences information about available support services.
KNCHR said changing public attitudes towards suicide would require sustained work beyond World Suicide Prevention Day.
“Changing the narrative on suicide cannot be a one-off event,” the Commission said.
It wants the country to move away from “silence, stigma, shame and misunderstanding” and instead encourage openness, empathy, understanding and support.
KNCHR said the High Court decision to decriminalise attempted suicide had demonstrated that progress was possible.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government, mental health professionals, survivors and communities to promote a rights-based approach to mental health and improve access to appropriate support.
As the world marks World Suicide Prevention Day, KNCHR urged Kenya to continue protecting the right to life, dignity, health, equality and non-discrimination.