logo
ADVERTISEMENT

State looks to counselling to address mental health challenges

Suicide on the increase, with men bearing the brunt.

image
by Peter Obuya

Counties23 August 2025 - 06:30
ADVERTISEMENT

In Summary


  • Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen noted that without proper remedy for mental illnesses, the issue may soon get out of hand as more people become victims.
  • Drug abuse and consumption of illicit brews has fuelled the problem, he added, leading to a spike in the number of suicides in the county.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen

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 people become victims.

Drug abuse and consumption of illicit brews has fuelled the problem, he added, leading to a spike in the number of suicides in the county.

“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,” Murkomen told the media, noting that men are bearing the brunt.

“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.” 

The CS’s remarks come barely two months after county commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi disclosed that suicide cases were on the rise with men making the most victims.

Mwiwawi, who had accompanied the CS, had told a service delivery meeting for heads of department in May that his office had opted to address the problem as a matter of urgency through professionals, in areas like Kieni East, Kieni West and Mukurwe-ini that were hardest hit.

“Almost every day I am losing a human being and the way our men are killing themselves is by hanging themselves outside their homestead,” the administrator said. 

He urged men to visit his office, promising they would be heard. 

“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.” 

Mwiwawi appealed to the community to take action and address 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 to ensure those behind the illegal trade were apprehended.

“We have challenges with second generation alcohol and unadulterated ethanol. This problem is perpetrated specifically by more than five businessmen,” Murkomen said. 

Security agents have already unearthed a conduit that was being used to sneak ethanol and later ferry it to a secret depot in Nanyuki town, then transported to other towns in surrounding counties.

“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.” 


To boost the war against the illicit trade, the CS said the government will 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 youth to cause chaos in order to further their partisan agenda.

He said the government will not sit and watch as such leaders foment violence and anarchy.

“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.

He noted that while every Kenyan is at liberty to exercise democratic rights, such privileges can only be guaranteed when done in accordance with the law.

“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 regional commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga and Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina.


Related Articles