This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
On May 17, 2020, human rights groups in Kenya's Western region gathered in Kisumu to discuss mental health issues and stigma on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Members of the Tinada Youth Organisation, Nyarwek, Gender Dialogues, and Trans Alliance met to address the pressing issue of mental health and its effects on individuals.
According to Section 226 of the Penal Code, suicide is a crime in Kenya, punishable by imprisonment for up to two years or a fine.
However, activists argue that decriminalizing suicide will be the first step towards reducing cases of mental illnesses and encouraging people to share their experiences without fear of prosecution.
“Suicide is criminalised in Kenya, this has affected reporting of these cases. In case it is a failed suicide attempt, the person will be in trouble with the law yet the cause of the problem is not addressed,” said Mike Wanjengu, Tinada programmes coordinator.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2017 that six million Kenyans suffered from common mental conditions such as depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety, making the country the sixth most depressed in Africa.
Between 2017 and 2018, the number of suicides reported in Kenya rose by 58 per cent to reach 421, with 330 of these being men.
