Estimated deaths from self-harm in Kenya (WHO/OWID). Data may underreport the real toll due to historical stigma and weak reporting.
Between July and August 2025, Kenya recorded 468 deaths by suicide. Media coverage described the numbers as a possible surge or epidemic. On a typical day, about four people die by suicide in the country, while some weekends reported numbers as high as 30 a day. Suicide now ranks as the fourth leading cause of death among young people in Kenya.
Suicide refers to death caused by self-inflicted harm carried out with the intention to die. Each death leaves a wide circle of grief. Research shows that one suicide profoundly affects around 135 people, which translates to roughly 108 million people worldwide each year.
For many decades, suicide fell under criminal law in Kenya. Section 226 of the Penal Code treated attempted suicide as a misdemeanour punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine under Section 36. Such laws created silence, shame, and fear around suicidal behaviour. In January 2025, after years of advocacy,Kenya finally decriminalised suicide, creating room for a more compassionate mental health approach.
No clear evidence points to decriminalisation causing more suicides. The larger issue involveslimited and unreliable data. Kenya, like many low- and middle-income countries, has struggled with weak systems for collecting suicide data. Underreporting has shaped national numbers due to:
The figure of 468 deaths may reflect more honest reporting rather than a sudden rise. These numbers match previous estimates of suicide deaths in Kenya. Families now face fewer barriers when reporting deaths that once carried legal risk.
With decriminalisation and growing public awareness, Kenya now has a better chance of understanding the true scale of suicide. Honest reporting, reduced stigma, and stronger mental health services offer a pathway toward effective and culturally grounded prevention strategies. Better data, community education, and open conversations will guide the country toward solutions that support and protect Kenyans.