CAPMHK: Globally several attempts to deinstitutionalize mental health and promote self-autonomy, independent and communal living for persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities have happened. CAPMHK has been advocating repeals of laws that criminalize mental health enshrined in the penal code, suicide act, and narcotics drugs act these laws have contributed to sanism within a very adversarial and retributive justice system. Mathew Mutiso, CAPMHK’s Executive Director gave a presentation on ‘The nature and extent of institutionalisation of persons with disabilities in Africa’, focuing on Kenya at a recent event on the ‘Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in Emergencies: An African Dialogue‘ organized by the Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria in Johannesburg on 27th February 2023. This conversation is in alignment with states parties domestication of the convention of the rights of persons with disabilities: the Africa Disability Protocol and OHCHR guidelines on deinstitutionalization below.

Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities