KNCHR Reaffirms Commitment to Rights of Persons with Mental Health Conditions and Disabilities
As Kenya marks Mental Health Awareness Week, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of persons with mental health conditions and disabilities.
Through a post made on the official KNCHR Facebook page, the commission stated that during a strategic litigation workshop on the Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2022, the commission convened stakeholders from the health, justice, and disability sectors to promote a multisectoral response to mental health in Kenya.
The training, which was led by KNCHR’s Research and Compliance Division, stressed the need for integrated approaches that involve legal, medical, and social systems. “Engaging different sectors ensures that the needs of persons with disabilities are met holistically, promoting better outcomes and integration into society,” the commission noted in a statement.
KNCHR thanked the key facilitators, Senator Sylvia Kasanga—credited for her pivotal role in advancing the Act—and Justice Teresia Matheka, who offered insights into procedural supports and sentencing guidelines that uphold the liberty of persons with disabilities.
“Their expertise related to mental health enriched the discussions and will guide future advocacy strategies,” the statement added.
KNCHR agreed to keep pushing the rights and dignity of persons with mental health conditions, working toward a society where inclusion and respect are the norm.
BY BARAKA SIMBA
Tags: Mental Health National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
