By S, KNA
The Government is now rooting for enhanced counselling and rehabilitation efforts as one way of assisting persons battling mental health challenges.
Addressing the press in Nyeri on the sidelines of the ongoing Jukwaa la Usalama forum Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen noted that without proper remedy for mental illnesses, the issue may soon get out of hand as more and more persons fall victim.
The CS also stated that the problem of drug abuse and consumption of illicit brews has fueled the problem which has in turn led to a spike in the number of people committing suicide in Nyeri county.
He said it was shaking that on average the county is losing eight people to suicide with men bearing the brunt.
“It is really shocking to learn that we are losing eight people a month who commit suicide. In two months we have lost 16 people. This is unbelievable. This is a large number and we need these people to go for rehabilitation. We also need counselling services in this county and we have agreed to continue working with NACADA and the county government. There is also a need to train religious leaders and chiefs to assist and see whether they can supplement in terms of helping to counsel people and give them direction of life.” he told the media.
Murkomen remarks come barely two months after Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi disclosed that suicide cases were on the rise in the county with men taking the lead in terms of numbers of victims.
Mwiwawi had told a Service Delivery meeting for Heads of Department in May that hardly a day passed without his office receiving report of a suicide case.
The administrator said his office had opted to take over the problem as a matter of urgency through professionals in areas like Kieni East, Kieni West and Mukurwe-ini that were hardly hit by the problem.
“Almost every day I am losing a human being and even the way our men are killing themselves is just by hanging themselves outside their homestead. I have gone public telling men to visit my office. Men are walking into my office and explaining their sad stories. A man walks to my office and tells me he had even bought a rope with which to hang himself. It’s really sad,” said the administrator.
The Commissioner also appealed for the community to take action in addressing the menace before it gets out of hand or turns out to be an existential threat for future generations.
On the issue of proliferation of second generation brews into the Central Region, Murkomen announced that security teams from respective counties were collaborating together to ensure those behind the illegal trade were apprehended.
He disclosed that security agents had already unearthed a well-organised conduit that was being used by the unscrupulous business persons to sneak ethanol into the region and later ferry it into a secret depot in Nanyuki town.
From Laikipia, the consignment is later ferried to other towns in surrounding counties.
“We have challenges with second generation alcohol and unadulterated ethanol. This problem is perpetrated specifically by more than five businessmen. Last night one of them was arrested based on a particular sting operation by a team that came from Nairobi working with our local security teams. These particular groups of people find Laikipia as a particular haven. Every time there is an operation they are able to move their ethanol to Nanyuki. My plan is that we do a particular operation in Nanyuki and arrest the characters who are operating from this (Laikipia)county.” he added.
And to boost the war against the illicit trade, the CS said the Government is going to form a multi-agency team that will bring on board KRA, Nacada, National Police Service and Kebs to ensure success.
Murkomen has also warned politicians against employing youths to cause chaos in order to further their partisan goals and stating that the Government will not sit and watch as such leaders foment violence and anarchy in the country.
He noted that while every Kenyan is at liberty to exercise his or her democratic right, such a privilege can only be guaranteed when this is done in accordance with the law.
“Political violence is something we are monitoring. We are going to discuss with our chiefs and assistant chiefs how we should all prepare as a society to confront the use of young people to cause violence, burn property, attack and kill people. This is an area we need to have a sober conversation with citizens as we go to the next General election,” he said.
“We are very much concerned about recent events during protests when shops were burnt, government vehicles and police stations targeted. This culture must stop. We want people to enjoy their political rights peacefully while respecting the rights of their colleagues.”
Among those who had accompanied the CS included Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputy Gilbert Masengeli, Central Region Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga and Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina.