Four suicides have been reported in the Ngugu-ini district of Ndia, Kirinyaga province, in only one weekend after the death of a 38-year-old man.
Moses Koskei, the commander of the Kirinyaga-West sub-county police, claims that Martin Macharia Kuguru committed himself by using a newly bought rope.
According to his neighbors, his late wife similarly committed suicide. She passed away in 2013.
"It is sad that the family members have told me that his wife committed suicide on 2013 the same way Macharia hanged himself. I don't know what is happening in our society.' Koskei said.
In another incident, a 60-year-old man who had told his wife he was going their cows to graze was discovered dead at a private school restroom.
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In the restroom of a nearby private school, Stephen Muchiri, 60, was found dead, according to family members led by Onesmus Muthee Mugo.
"I was shocked after I was told my brother Muchiri, who is also a church leader, had committed suicide in a private school 's toilets," Muthee said.
Mikima-ini village's in-charge, Samuel Kahindi, said the corpse was found hanging on a recently installed rope fastened to the toilet roofing.
Concerns have been raised by the Kirinyaga chapter of the Association of Counseling and Psychological Association (KCPA) on the increase in suicides in the area.
Suicide must be addressed, according to Kamau Muchira, chair of the KCPA's Kirinyaga branch, to stop more harm from being done to the community.
We are quite concerned that more males than women are taking their own lives.Suicide is a very delicate and complicated topic with many underlying factors. stated Muchira.
Women seek advice from friends, but males prefer to be independent and decisive and see asking for assistance as a sign of weakness. Muchira asserts that women are less prone to kill themselves since they experience feelings of inadequacy.
"Many cases of suicide in Kirinyaga County are occasional by domestic-related violence ,land cases and abuse of drugs," Muchira stated.
"Losing four men in two days is a big loss to the community."
Four people committed suicide in the Kirinyaga central, Mwea-east, and Ndia sub-counties between Saturday and Sunday.
Three men killed themselves on Saturday:
A 50-year-old in Githioro village, Kirinyaga Central.
A 47-year-old in Mururu-ini village, Ndia.
A 60-year-old man who hanged himself in Mikima-ini village, Mwea-east sub-county.
Moses Koskei, the sub-county police chief for Kirinyaga West, confirmed the occurrence and stated that two males committed suicide in his sub-county.
"We have taken two men karatina and Kerugoya mortuaries on Saturday and Sunday society must address the root causes of this suicides; it took much." stated Koskei.
Counselor Muchira asserted that because males in African society were not expected to display their emotions, church leaders have to stand up and protect men.
"Are we going to watch men killing themself sincerely in Kirinyaga ,let's fight the menace." stated Muchira.
