Murang’a: Commissioner raises concern over increased suicide, homicide cases

Murang’a County Commissioner Kariuki Ngumo has raised a red flag over increased suicide and homicide cases in the county in the past few months.

The commissioner said in the last six months, 35 cases of suicide have been reported and 32 people have been murdered in cold blood.

Gatanga and Kahuro sub-counties had seven cases of suicide reported, Maragua and Kandara had five cases, Mathioya, Kiharu and Kangema had four, three and two cases respectively.

For the suicide, Maragua and Kahuro had the highest number of cases recording eight incidents, Gatanga had six cases and the rest of the sub-counties had three cases reported.

The administrator said this is a worrying trend and something needs to the done to curb it.

Suicide victims

He said the suicide victims are youth and middle-aged and the majority of them are men.

“This is a major concern and we need concerted efforts to see how we can arrest the situation because we don’t want to lose people in such a manner,” he said.

“I would urge the church leaders and other counselors to help us in established counseling centres for our people where they can be going for guidance,” he added.

Ngumo also lamented over increased alcoholism in the area especially among the youth adding that the vice has rendered most of them unproductive.

“Alcoholism and drug abuse are becoming a big challenge for our people as they are just wasting away,” he said.

The administrator urged the county government through the liquor licensing board to ensure they only give the permits to the deserving proprietors.

“There is the need to control the liquor business and only have those who have met the requirements to operate” he added.

He said the security agents will team up with other stakeholders to strategize on how to curb the menace which has wreaked havoc in society.