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NAIROBI, Kenya – A petition has been tabled before Parliament seeking to have persistent low libido and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) recognised as disabilities under Kenyan law, a move that could allow affected individuals to access disability protections and healthcare benefits through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The petition, filed by Benson Kibore, urges both the National Assembly and the Senate to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, and the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, to include clinically diagnosed sexual dysfunctions within Kenya’s disability and healthcare framework.
Kibore argues that persistent low libido and HSDD are medical conditions that can significantly affect an individual’s psychological wellbeing, relationships and ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, bringing them within the legal definition of disability.
According to the petition, the conditions have contributed to marital breakdowns, emotional distress, infertility challenges, anxiety, depression and declining mental health among affected men and women.
It further states that stigma surrounding sexual dysfunction often discourages patients from seeking professional medical care, worsening the impact on families and relationships.
“Parliament must rise to the occasion to protect the rights of such individuals who have for a long time been expected to simply adjust to their disability status with no consideration or discussion about appropriate or possible interventions,” the petition states.
The petitioner is asking Parliament to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the prevalence and impact of persistent low libido and HSDD in Kenya before recommending legislative changes.
Among the proposed amendments is the issuance of disability cards to patients who receive medically verified diagnoses after appropriate assessments.
The petition also seeks the inclusion of treatment for qualifying sexual dysfunctions in the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits package.
Kibore says recognising the conditions would improve access to counselling, specialised medical treatment and constitutional protections for affected individuals.
The petition also proposes that the Ministry of Health develop national clinical guidelines covering the screening, diagnosis, referral and management of low libido and HSDD in consultation with professional medical bodies.
It further recommends nationwide awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
The document calls for equitable access to counselling, endocrinology, psychiatry, urology, gynaecology and specialised sexual health services through the Ministry of Health and SHA.
In addition, the petitioner wants confidential counselling and rehabilitation services established for couples affected by medically diagnosed sexual dysfunctions to help preserve marriages and strengthen families.
As part of the petition, Kibore cites a 2026 Nairobi County community-based study that reportedly found 10.4 per cent of young men, with a mean age of 27.4 years, experienced erectile dysfunction.
He also references a Ministry of Health alert issued in December 2025 warning against the misuse of sildenafil (Viagra) following reports linking unsupervised use to strokes, heart attacks and sudden deaths.
According to the petition, erectile dysfunction and low libido may also be indicators of underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and mental illness, making them significant public health concerns that require medical attention rather than social stigma.
The petitioner argues that formally recognising clinically diagnosed sexual dysfunctions under Kenya’s disability laws would expand access to evidence-based treatment, protect the rights of affected individuals and promote family stability.
If admitted, the petition will be referred to the relevant parliamentary committees, which will review its proposals before making recommendations on whether the proposed legislative amendments should proceed.