High suicide rate - at least 4 per day - worries police boss

A resident walks in Chaka forest in Nyeri, where at least 26 people are believed to have committed suicide. [File, Standard]

County Police Commander Ali Nuno has expressed concern at the high rate of suicides reported in the region.

He noted that based on current statistics, at least four suicides are reported daily in Nyeri County.

“This means in each month, we are losing at least 120 people to suicide in Nyeri County, which is an alarming number,” he said.

Speaking during the award ceremony to mark the end of the Simba Cup tournament at Ruringu Stadium, the security chief asked leaders to find ways of addressing the worrying trend.

“I am calling on leaders in Nyeri County to find a way to address the issue because those committing suicide are the youth aged between 18 and 35,” he said.

Mr Nuno also asked youth to constructively audit government projects.

“It is unfortunate that some youth have resorted to insulting their leaders and harassing people on social media in the name of seeking accountability,” he said.

On crime, Nuno warned that criminals in Nyeri had only three options – reform and find salvation; leave the county; or come face-to-face with the full force of the law.

“We shall not tolerate crime in Nyeri County. Those with firearms terrorising Kenyans should know that we are coming for them,” Nuno said.

Rule of law

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu asked the youth to respect the rule of law or face the consequences.

“I am speaking to all the youth in Gatitu Muruguru, Rware, Ruringu and Kamakwa, you either reform or the law will deal with you,” Mr Wambugu said.

The two were speaking a few days after a police constable attached to Nyeri Central Police Station and 130 suspects were arrested in Nyeri in one of the widest swoop against criminals in the town.

The officer was suspected to have broken into the signals room at the police station and stolen a laptop, computer accessories and correspondence files.

About 130 other suspects were arrested in Classic, Ruring’u and Ngangarithi estates in Nyeri town as police clamped down on increased crime during the festive season.

The swoop followed last Thursday’s shooting of a shopkeeper at Ciaraini market on the outskirts of the town as he attempted to stop a break-in at his shop at around 9pm.