Written By Lisa Murimi
Dr. Lukoye Atwoli, a professor of psychiatry and Dean at Aga Khan University, presented a petition to the National Assembly advocating for the decriminalization of attempted suicide. Addressed to National
Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the petition calls for the repeal of Section 226 of the Penal Code, which currently treats attempted suicide as a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine.
Atwoli argued that criminalizing attempted suicide fails to address the underlying mental health issues and instead exacerbates the stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
He emphasized that Kenya remains one of the few countries where attempted suicide is still penalized, contradicting Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including emergency medical treatment.
The petition was forwarded to the Public Petitions Committee for further consideration. Atwoli’s initiative reflects ongoing debates about the intersection of mental health and criminal law.
However, some lawmakers, including Tharaka MP George Murugara, expressed concerns about potential misuse of the decriminalization, suggesting that it might be exploited by individuals seeking to evade justice for more serious offenses.
The committee is tasked with evaluating the petition and reporting its findings to the National Assembly.
