Suicide attempt: State split on bid to abolish law making it a crime

The Ministry of Health says Kenya should abolish Section 226 of the Penal Code. [iStockphoto]

The government is torn between abolishing the law that makes it a crime to attempt suicide or leave it as is. In separate responses before the High Court, the Attorney General and the Ministry of Health are reading from different scripts.

On one hand, the AG wants the High Court to dismiss a case filed by Kenya Psychiatrists Association, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC) and Charity Muturi. On the other, the Health ministry has admitted that the country needs to abolish Section 226 of the Penal Code.