A Kenyan scholar has petitioned Parliament to amend the country’s disability and health laws to recognize clinically diagnosed low libido in men and Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in women as disabilities, arguing the conditions pose a growing threat to families and public health.
Dr Benson Kibore presented the petition to the Clerks of the National Assembly and Senate on July 15, 2026, seeking amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, and the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
Kibore, a veterinary surgeon with a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Applied Microbiology (Virology) from the University of Nairobi who is pursuing a law degree at the African Nazarene University, argues that persistent sexual dysfunction should qualify for legal protection and access to specialized healthcare.
“It is time to openly discuss sexuality and the associated disabilities in order to address the stigmas associated with people with low libido,” Kibore says in the petition.
He argues that untreated sexual dysfunction has contributed to marital conflict, family breakdown and mental health challenges.
“The government is mandated to develop policies for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disability, including persons with low libido,” the petition states.
Kibore says Parliament should establish, persistent low libido and HSDD “are medical conditions capable of causing substantial psychological, emotional, relational and functional impairment” and therefore deserve legislative and policy recognition.
The petition cites research indicating that erectile dysfunction is increasingly affecting younger men and warns against the growing misuse of sildenafil-based drugs obtained without medical supervision.
“It is time to make sexuality, relationships and families stable and reduce people using assisted medications to avoid being laughed at by their boyfriends or girlfriends because of low libido,” Kibore says.
Among the proposals is the inclusion of medically indicated assessment, diagnosis, counselling and treatment of clinically recognized sexual dysfunctions within the Social Health Authority benefits package.
The petition also seeks amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act to recognize clinically diagnosed sexual disabilities that substantially impair ordinary daily functioning.
Kibore further urges Parliament to require the Ministry of Health to develop national clinical guidelines for screening, diagnosis and management of sexual dysfunctions, establish public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and expand access to specialized medical and psychological care.
In his prayers to Parliament, Kibore says the National Assembly should “receive and admit this Petition for consideration as a matter of significant public interest affecting constitutional protection of the family, public health, family stability, equitable access to healthcare, mental care and the protection of human dignity.”
The petition will now await processing under the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act before being considered by the relevant parliamentary committee.
