MPs Move to Throw Out Jail Time for Kenyans Attempting Suicide
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health is currently progressing towards the repeal of Section 226 of the Penal Code, which mandates the imprisonment of individuals attempting suicide.
During discussions with representatives from Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who chairs the committee, pointed out that it was unjust, as individuals attempting suicide were experiencing mental health issues.
He further stated that making suicide a criminal offense exacerbates the distress of individuals who are already in a fragile condition.
“It violates their fundamental human rights and dignity by subjecting them to punitive measures instead of offering support and assistance,” he explained.
Pukose highlighted the importance of acknowledging suicide as a mental health concern rather than treating it as a criminal offense.
The Member of Parliament pledged to guide his committee in fostering agreement on the removal of section 226 from the penal code. He emphasized that the decriminalization of suicide would enable Kenya to adopt a more compassionate approach, encouraging individuals to seek assistance without the threat of legal consequences.
“Decriminalising would facilitate better access to mental health services and suicide prevention initiatives. It would reassure individuals contemplating suicide that seeking help will not lead to legal consequences,” Pukose reiterated.
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Regarding this issue, Dr. Julius Ogato, the Chief Executive Officer of Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, mentioned that the existing legislation has the potential to drive individuals with mental health conditions to a critical point.
Dr Ogato explained that suicide was a result of mental illness adding, “Mental illness involves an imbalance of chemical transmitters in the brain. There is a biological basis for such thoughts.”
The medical professional suggests that individuals harboring such thoughts need assistance, safeguarding, and support instead of being put in confinement. The recommendation is for the government to reconsider categorizing attempted suicide as a mental disorder.
“This is a crucial step in combating the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness. Currently, individuals with suicidal ideation are viewed as weak. This perspective needs to change. We should approach it like any other medical condition, such as diabetes,” he added.
According to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), a minimum of four individuals take their own lives daily. WHO further highlights that around 700,000 people succumb to suicide on a global scale each year.
Some of the factors that push Kenyans to suicidal thoughts include traumatic experiences, stress, financial difficulties, a history of suicide in a family, alcoholism, and discrimination.
MPs Move to Throw Out Jail Time for Kenyans Attempting Suicide
