Makueni County Commissioner Beverly Opwora has expressed concern over the increase in suicide cases in the county terming the scenario worrisome.
The C.C regretted that 34 suicide cases have been recorded in the county since January to date and advised residents to seek village elders, counsellors and respective NGAO officers’ assistance whenever they feel overwhelmed by challenges, instead of committing suicide.
“I urge the family members, the church, Nyumba Kumi village elders and elected leaders to stay close to wananchi and listen to their problems. A problem shared is half solved,” she said after reading the President’s speech during the celebrations of Mashujaa Day at Unoa Grounds in Wote town on Thursday.
Further, the administrator challenged the elected leaders to invest in counselling and mental health as this has become a major problem in the community and needs serious attention.
The County Commissioner reminded the residents that the government was in place to serve them stressing that everybody’s life was important hence the need to come out and speak out.
“If you commit suicide who are we going to serve? Every life is important and I ask the local leaders to invest in counselling and mental health in an effort to curb this worrying trend,” Opwora said.
On road accidents, the administrator said that from January to October 2022, there have been 330 accidents, out of which 66 were fatal.
Consequently, she challenged motorists plying the route to observe traffic rules to avert accidents, a majority of which are attributed to human error.
Further Opwora added that the existing problem where Probox are used as a matatu will be solved in due course.
By Patrick Nyakundi
