Kenyan media personality, podcast host, and humanitarian Adelle Onyango is celebrating a historic legal victory following the decriminalization of suicide in Kenya.
The win comes just after Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the Milimani High Court ruled Section 226 of the Kenyan Penal Code — which criminalized attempted suicide — as unconstitutional.
Justice Mugambi’s ruling emphasized that the previous law stigmatized individuals struggling with suicide ideation, despite factors often being beyond their control.
The judge further declared that the law violated Kenya’s constitutional protections, particularly Articles 27, 28, and 43, which guarantee equality, human dignity, and access to healthcare.
Adelle Onyango, passionate about mental health advocacy, took to social media to mark this milestone, celebrating the change in the law while reflecting on the outdated legal framework.
“Incredible news c/o @hakiknchr!” Adele posted. “Please scroll to see Articles 27, 28 & 43 that Section 226 of the Penal Code violated.”
She continued, sharing her belief that the old laws reflected a deep-seated cultural bias toward mental health. “
As a country, our laws on suicide reflected our attitude toward mental health. We could advocate tirelessly for mental health, but the law told a different story,” she wrote, criticizing the criminalization of suicide attempts instead of focusing on providing support.
Adelle also expressed hope that the societal shift would extend beyond the legal system, with the hope that those who have struggled with suicide ideation would be treated with compassion and dignity.
She urged for an end to cultural stigmas that strip honor from funerals of those lost to suicide, hoping for greater grace and understanding in the aftermath of these tragic events.
In her concluding thoughts, Adele shared her vision for the future: a Kenya where citizens have access to the professional mental health support they need.
“I’d love to see a nation where everyone has access to mental health resources that help them cope with their struggles before they reach a breaking point,” she said.
Adele also called attention to the role of poor governance in exacerbating the mental health crisis, noting the impact of leadership decisions on the wellbeing of citizens.
“I hope psychosocial resources can one day be accessible to all. There’s no way we can separate poor leadership from mental health – we’ll unpack that later,” she added, before ending on a note of optimism: “For now, a win is a win. #Wellness #Healing.”
Before this ruling, individuals who attempted suicide were often treated as criminals, facing up to two years in prison or fines.
The historic ruling marks a new chapter in Kenya’s approach to mental health and offers hope for a more compassionate future.
