Psycho-Spiritual Perspective on the Challenges of Suicide Prevention in Kenya

Loice Noo Okello – School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Meresia Sirera – Department of Psychology, Kenyatta University, Kenya
George O. Otieno – Department of Health Management and Informatics, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Wilkins Ndege Muhingi – Department of Community Development, Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya
Corresponding Author: nooloice@gmail.com

Abstract: In Kenya, death by suicide or suicide attempt is a criminal offence according to the penal code 226 of section 36 of the Kenyan constitution. In the spiritual dimension, it is considered to attract eternal damnation and special burial rites are performed for persons who die by suicide. Culture treats death by suicide as a taboo and punitive burial rites are taken with the survivor families taking the consequences of such actions. This may impact on holding open, rational and objective discussions on prevention and intervention on deaths by suicide. However, the rise in cases of suicide is a concern, while knowledge and understanding of causes, prevention and effective intervention strategies is limited especially to the significant persons in the community who could be instrumental in such programs. This paper therefore seeks to review the concept of death by suicide, the irony surrounding its definition and legal dimension. It also explores the dilemmas therein and specifically discusses the possible preventive strategies by adopting cultural, social, psychological and spiritually sensitive interventions. This was a desktop review that reviewed literature by utilizing general and specific search engines. Key words guided the search and helped to narrow the scope. Recommendations have also been made for the government, community and to individuals in preventing death by suicide.