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Originally published by Kenyanstop
September 24, 2025
3h ago
MPs Back Lukoye Atwoli Petition on Attempted Suicide
The penal code recognises attempted suicide as a crime punishable by a prison sentence or fine...
✨ Key Highlights
The National Assembly Public Petitions Committee has endorsed Dr. Lukoye Atwoli's 2024 petition to decriminalize attempted suicide, aligning with global mental health initiatives. This recommendation follows a January 9 ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which declared the criminalization of attempted suicide unconstitutional.
- The petition seeks to repeal Section 226 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes attempted suicide and carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
- Dr. Atwoli, a Professor of Psychiatry, argued that attempted suicide is a mental health issue, not a criminal offense, and punishing survivors exacerbates stigma.
- The repeal aligns with the WHO Global Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030 and the Kenya Mental Health Action Plan 2021–2025, both advocating for decriminalization as a suicide prevention strategy.
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