Residents of Murang’a County are expressing growing concern over the alarming increase in suicide cases, with young men being the most affected group. Over the past three months, at least 27 incidents of suicide have been reported, signaling a worrying trend that continues to devastate families across the region.
Authorities say the majority of the victims are men aged between 20 and 60 years, though a few cases involving women have also been documented. Some of those who took their own lives left behind suicide notes, shedding light on the struggles that led to their tragic decisions.
Among the common reasons cited are financial hardships, domestic wrangles, and mental health challenges. In one case, a 22-year-old man from Kandara reportedly ended his life after expressing in a note that he could no longer afford to care for his ailing mother. Many older men who have died by suicide are believed to have been driven by feelings of neglect and abandonment by their families.
Women in the county have not been spared either. Some female victims are said to have succumbed to pressure from domestic disputes, with a few taking extreme actions that included harming their children before attempting suicide. In two separate incidents, women allegedly drowned and stabbed their children before trying to take their own lives but were rescued in time.
Experts also link the rise in suicide cases to growing levels of drug abuse and alcoholism, particularly among the youth. Substance dependency has been blamed for worsening mental health problems, leading some to hopelessness and self-harm.
Local leaders and police authorities are now calling for intensified community sensitization campaigns to encourage people to seek help rather than resort to suicide. They emphasize the need for greater self-awareness and open discussions around mental health to reduce stigma and support those in distress.
Kenya has been grappling with increasing suicide cases nationwide. According to previous health data, the country records about four suicide deaths daily. To address this crisis, the government launched the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2021–2026) and the Kenya Mental Health Action Plan (2021–2025), aimed at reducing suicide mortality and promoting mental health care at the community level.
These initiatives underscore the urgent need for collective efforts to tackle mental health challenges and offer hope to those silently battling emotional and psychological struggles.
