The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2024
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Executive
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Repeal of Section 226 of Cap. 63
The Bill proposes to completely repeal section 226 of the Penal Code, which currently designates attempting suicide as a misdemeanor.
Transition to Mental Health Interventions
Decriminalization aims to allow attempted suicide to be treated as a health crisis requiring supportive medical and psychological care rather than judicial punishment.
Alignment with Global Health Goals
The proposed change aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeting a one-third reduction in global suicide rates by 2030.
Bill No.
No. 53 of 2024
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 211 of 2024
Sponsor
Anthony Tom Oluoch
Background
Under section 226 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63), attempting suicide is classified as a misdemeanor. The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to alter this legal framework. According to the Bill's Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, criminalizing suicide does not prevent individuals from acting on suicidal thoughts; instead, it deters them from seeking help during acute crises. Decriminalization aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organization (WHO) global Mental Health Action Plan, both of which target a one-third reduction in global suicide rates by 2030.
Key Amendments
- Repeal of Section 226 of Cap. 63: The Bill repeals Section 226 of the Penal Code, which currently states that "Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanor."
- Decriminalization: By removing this section, attempting suicide will no longer carry criminal penalties or be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.
New Obligations
- Medical and Psychiatric Treatment Focus: The shift in law redirects the handling of attempted suicide cases from law enforcement and judicial systems to medical systems, designating it as a health condition requiring supportive mental health interventions.
No updates tracked yet
Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.