KIRINYAGA, Kenya- Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has raised alarm over a worrying rise in suicide cases among men in Kirinyaga County, attributing the trend largely to untreated mental illness.
Speaking during the burial of 53-year-old Mathew Njiru Muchira, who died by suicide at his farm in Gichugu, Muthoni said mental health challenges remain a major but often ignored contributor to suicides. She noted that alcoholism, drug and substance abuse, and domestic violence have further worsened the situation.
“Mental illness should never be ignored,” Muthoni said, urging families to support their loved ones whenever they notice behavioral changes instead of condemning them. She emphasized that early intervention and compassion can save lives.
The surge in suicide cases has also prompted the Catholic Church in Kirinyaga to call for urgent collective action.
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Catholic priest in charge of Difathas Parish, Father Martin Wanyoike, said he has presided over numerous burials of men who have taken their own lives through hanging or poisoning.
Father Wanyoike called on the government, church leaders, and the community to urgently come together and address depression, rejection, and emotional distress among men. He urged men to speak openly about their struggles and appealed to families, especially spouses, to foster understanding and support at home.
The priest observed that fewer women die by suicide compared to men, noting that women are more likely to seek help and share their challenges, while men often suffer in silence.
Meanwhile, Muthoni also raised concern over increasing cases of defilement, rape, and theft of farm produce in Gichugu, calling on security agencies to intensify patrols and bring perpetrators to justice.
She further reminded Kenyans to prioritize food safety during the festive season by avoiding uninspected meat and maintaining high standards of hygiene to prevent diseases such as cholera.
Authorities and faith leaders are now urging communities to break the silence around mental health and work together to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly men at risk.