In Summary
• The Penal Code says: “Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour” – and the punishment is up to two years imprisonment
• The notion that a person who genuinely felt life was so unbearable that they tried to kill themselves should have to face arrest, detention, a trial and perhaps a prison sentence is repellent.
It is good to see that the Kenya Psychiatric Association has asked Parliament to remove the crime of attempted suicide from the Penal Code – and to see this has the support of Bishop Oginde of Citam. ...