Religious leaders in Kenya have called on the National Assembly of Kenya to urgently repeal Section 226 of the Penal Code, which criminalises attempted suicide. The call was made during the Religious Leaders Forum on Suicide Prevention and Decriminalisation, organised by the Ministry of Health, Kenya in collaboration with Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), Chiromo Hospital Group, and the Kenya Psychiatric Association on September 15, 2025.
The gathering aimed to address rising cases of suicide in Kenya, strengthen community-level support and push for legal reforms in line with public health and human rights standards. It brought together senior clerics, policymakers and mental health experts. Speaking at the forum, Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Deputy Director at the Brain and Mind Institute and Dean Medical College, EA, AKU, said criminalisation silences those in crisis and deters them from seeking help.
“For every six people, one has attempted suicide. This is a widespread public health crisis that touches nearly every community, yet instead of receiving care, many of these individuals are dragged through the criminal justice system, facing stigma, shame and punishment. Criminalisation silences those in pain and drives the problem underground. What people in distress need is not prosecution, but compassion, dignity and treatment,” he said.
Policymakers present at the forum emphasized that the government is committed to addressing suicide as a pressing public health concern. They highlighted ongoing reforms within Kenya’s mental health framework, including efforts to strengthen community-based services, improve access to care and review outdated legal provisions that have long hindered prevention and treatment. They underscored that, by working hand in hand with religious leaders, the government can tackle stigma more effectively. Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mercy Karanja, Director of the Mental Health Division, stressed the critical role of faith leaders in shifting societal perceptions.
“Suicide prevention requires leadership, partnership and courageous advocacy. Religious leaders, because of their influence and trust within communities, are key allies in moving this agenda forward. Their voices can open doors for dialogue, shift public opinion and inspire action that policymakers alone cannot achieve,” she said.
Faith institutions also pointed out the importance of their role in suicide prevention, noting that churches, mosques, temples and other places of worship are often the first points of contact for individuals and families in distress. They said forums such as this one are crucial in equipping leaders with the knowledge and confidence to respond with compassion, break cycles of silence and influence lawmakers to adopt humane and health-focused approaches.
Linus Nthigai, Executive Director of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, reminded participants that faith must stand at the forefront of dignity and care saying “Faith communities have always been places of refuge, where individuals and families come when they are overwhelmed by life’s challenges. In moments of despair, many people turn first to their spiritual leaders for comfort, guidance and support. Faith leaders are charged with the responsibility to nurture healing, to break the silence around suicide and to remind society that supporting the vulnerable is at the very heart of our calling.”
The Religious Leaders Forum marked an important step toward reimagining suicide prevention in Kenya by demonstrating the power of uniting faith, policy and health expertise to confront suicide as a public health challenge. With compassion at its core, the forum is helping to shift mindsets, influence reforms and strengthen community support systems, laying the foundation for a Kenya where mental health is safeguarded and every life is treated with dignity.
