# Can I be admitted to a mental hospital against my will in Kenya?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-i-be-admitted-to-a-mental-hospital-against-my-will-in-kenya
For: Patients | Mental health care | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** Under the Mental Health Act, most care should be voluntary and based on informed consent. A facility can admit someone involuntarily only if a qualified mental health practitioner finds a mental illness and either a serious likelihood of imminent harm to the person or others, or a risk of serious deterioration when judgement is severely impaired. Detention should last only as long as needed, and emergency admissions are limited to 72 hours without further consent. In an emergency call 999 or 112, or Kenya Red Cross on 1199.

Sources: Kenya Law: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/act/1989/10/eng@2023-12-11 - Kenya Law / Kenya Gazette Supplement: http://www.kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/Acts/2022/TheMentalHealth_Amendment_Act_2022.pdf

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