Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi has called for concerted efforts from all residents to help stem increasing suicide cases in the area.
Mwiwawi has warned that unless something is urgently done to address the root cause of suicide in the county, the problem might turn into a social catastrophe.
He has also noted that the majority of those committing suicide happen to be men who form the most critical cog in the stability of any society.
“For the three months I have been here, suicide cases have been very many. Suicide has become a thorny issue. I asked those people with mental health issues to walk into my office and let us have a dialogue and understand why are we are taking our lives. Let us talk to one another so that we can reduce the cases of suicide,” said the Commissioner while speaking during the roll out of countywide Social Health Authority (SHA) registration exercise at the Nyeri Town Health Center yesterday.
During last year’s 61st Jamhuri day celebrations at the Nyeri Kamukunji grounds, Mwiwawi, directed all deputy Commissioners, chiefs and their assistants to organize frequent public barazas in order address rising suicide cases in the county.
He said he was horrified at the growing number of people who were taking their lives in the county describing the challenge as alarming.
The administrator said it was unacceptable for people to continue taking their lives at such an alarming rate while those in authority do nothing about the issue.
“I have been in this county for less than a month but what has alarmed me is the number of people who are ending their lives on a daily basis. It is equally disturbing to report that majority of those who are taking their lives are men aged between 60 to 65 years .We must stop this worrying trend and address the root cause of this problem. In the meantime, I want all chiefs and their assistants to institute public forums with help of village elders and try to see how we can solve the root cause of this problem. We should not keep silent while our people are taking their lives by the day,” he said.
Mwiwawi also raised concern over frequent reports of house fires and livestock theft being reported in the county in recent days.
He said it was alarming that his office is receiving reports of residents losing their livestock to suspected rustlers and has urged the public to assist the government in tackling the menace.
“I don’t understand why everyday a house must burn down. I also don’t understand why the practice of stock theft is creeping in this county despite Nyeri not being a bandit prone area,” he noted.
“I am going to engage with the Fire Brigade to help understand why semi-permanent houses are burning every day. We need to know the cause. We also need to identify those stealing our animals from our homes and report them to security agents in order to nip this vice in the bud.”
Mwiwawi also termed the SHA registration drive a timely gesture that will greatly help the public get access to quality and affordable health care.
He said the national health insurance scheme is not alien to the country since it has been undergoing systematic improvements since 1965.
The administrator said the only thing the scheme is trying to do is cure the challenges that have dogged the implementation of previous health insurance schemes.
“The Social Health Authority is attempting to ensure all Kenyans are covered, are protected and that their dignity is preserved and that they can get quality health service. This is a journey we don’t have a choice but have to walk together. If we have any issues, we only have to make amendments to the current policy,” he stated.
On his part Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga who was the chief guest during the event promised his unwavering support in tackling the problem of suicide cases in the county.
He noted that the problem has remained a thorny issue for some years with the majority of the victims being male.
Dr Kahiga directed the CECM Health Dr Joseph Kiragu to launch mental wellness forums where people can come out and speak out about challenges affecting them and offer psychological therapy to those persons struggling with mental health problems.
“Mental health is the leading cause for the rising cases of suicide in this county. It’s an issue we have discussed even with my staff. I therefore direct the Health Department to take up this matter and come up with a wellness day where we can have candid discussions on matters affecting our mental health,” he said.
By Samuel Maina