NYERI, Kenya – Nyeri County is grappling with a silent epidemic of suicide, with local authorities reporting that nearly one person takes their life every day—most of them men.
County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi has raised the red flag, describing the situation as dire and warning that suicide has become one of the region’s most urgent social crises.
“Almost every day, I am losing a human being,” he told colleagues during a Service Delivery meeting on Wednesday. “Even the way our men are killing themselves—by hanging outside their homesteads—is deeply disturbing.”
Mwiwawi said the crisis has reached such alarming levels that men are now walking into his office and openly confessing suicidal thoughts, sometimes with the tools of self-harm already purchased.
“A man walked in and told me he had bought a rope to hang himself. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Men Most Affected, but Causes Often Overlooked
The commissioner noted that the overwhelming majority of suicide victims in the county are men—a demographic he says is vital to the social and economic stability of the region.
He urged society to take a more compassionate approach, adding that the causes behind these deaths are often matters that could be resolved if someone simply took the time to listen.
“The things pushing our people to the edge may seem small to others, but to them, they are enormous. Let us not dismiss or ignore these cries for help,” he said.
To tackle the issue, Mwiwawi has deployed a team of professionals to high-risk sub-counties like Kieni East, Kieni West, and Mukurwe-ini, where cases have been most rampant.
He has also called on local leaders and the public to support the effort through open dialogue and mental health interventions.
Warning of a Social Time Bomb
This is not the first time Mwiwawi has raised concern.
In February, he warned that the suicide rate was spiraling out of control and could lead to a broader societal collapse if left unchecked.
He reiterated those sentiments during last year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, where he instructed local administrators to hold frequent barazas to engage communities on mental health and suicide prevention.
“It is unacceptable for people to continue taking their lives while those in authority watch from the sidelines,” he said.
A Second Threat: Mysterious Rise in House Fires
The commissioner also flagged another growing concern—an unexplained surge in house fires across the county.
According to Mwiwawi, semi-permanent houses are burning down almost daily, yet investigations into the cause have yielded few answers.
“We are getting reports of fires every single day. It scares me. I have tasked my deputy commissioners to find out what’s going on, but it remains a mystery,” he said, comparing the trend to high-profile fire outbreaks in Nairobi’s Kibra and Mathare.
Call for Unified Government Messaging
In addition to addressing mental health and safety concerns, Mwiwawi urged government officers to work in unity when delivering services and to communicate clearly with the public.
“When Kenyans don’t appreciate the work of the government, it means we are not communicating effectively. Civil servants are the backbone of this nation,” he said.
He warned officers not to be swayed by political cycles, reminding them that while political leadership is transient, government institutions must offer continuity.
“As civil servants, we are the ones who keep the engine running. Let’s not confuse government with politics,” he added.
