Fourteen people have died by suicide in Kisii in less than three months, according to police reports.
County police commander Francis Kooli said that of the number, 13 were males. He said 10 cases were recorded in August and three were in July. This month one person has died.
He said Kisii Central has the highest number with nine cases, followed by Gucha South (three), Kisii South (two), Kenyenya and Sameta with one each.
Kooli attributed the big number of males to fear after failing to take up responsibility like meeting the needs of their families. And some cases were due to land disputes and marital squabbles, among other problems.
He said they have since opened inquest files for eight out of the 14 cases and six are still investigations.
“There is a need for people to embrace in case they have differences, instead of taking their lives. People need to understand life is precious and it is god-given,” Kooli said.
He said residents will be sensitised to the importance of addressing challenges on World Suicide Day next week. Kooli said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only 25 people will be allowed in a procession in Kisii town and the media to mark the day.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people commit suicide every year.
It says many more people attempt suicide and a prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide within populations.
The UN agency says suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among the 15-19-year-olds and 77 per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and use of firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally, it added.