Is euthanasia legal in Kenya? Assisted dying and DNR
Ministry of Health / Kenya Law · sources read 4 Oct 2026
No. Helping someone end their own life is a felony in Kenya with up to life in prison, and the Constitution says no one may be deprived of life on purpose unless the Constitution or a written law allows it. You can still refuse treatment you don't want after your doctor explains the risks.
- Where
- Your doctor or hospital for treatment decisions
Steps
- Talk to your doctor. You have the right to be told your treatment options and to refuse a recommended treatment; the doctor must explain what refusing means.
- If you want someone to decide for you when you can't, name them in writing. Without that, the law lets your next of kin give consent.
- Be ready to confirm a refusal formally, for example by signing, if the hospital asks.
Watch out
- Procuring, counselling or helping another person to kill themselves is a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment, even if they asked for it.
- In an emergency, doctors may treat you without consent if a delay could cause death or lasting harm, unless you have clearly refused that treatment.
- Palliative care (comfort care for serious illness) is part of the health care everyone has a right to.
Who this covers
- Everyone: the Constitution protects every person's right to life.
Official sources (3)
- Penal Code, Cap. 63 (Revised Edition 2014) probation.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Health Act, No. 21 of 2017 (Revised Edition 2022) machakosassembly.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026