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The county has set up centres to assist victims of sexual and domestic violence.
The centres will also handle cases of depression by offering counseling services.
The main centre is based at the Kakamega County General and Referral Hospital with special desks at sub-county hospitals.
“We were compelled to set up the special desks following an increase in domestic violence cases and incidents where individuals, including children commit suicide,” said the county chief advisor on gender, Peninah Mukabane.
Cases of suicide have been on the rise in the county. In the most recent case, an eight-year-old committed suicide inside a bathroom at Ikonyero village on outskirts of Kakamega town last week.
On March 8, a primary school teacher committed suicide at Emalaha village.
In total, more than ten cases of suicide have been reported in the region in the past two months.
Among gender-based violence cases that have so far been reported include one where an Administration Police officer based at Navakholo shot dead a secondary school teacher on March 14.
The woman was buried at Khaunga village in the sub-county last weekend while the suspect was arrested and arraigned last week.
In another case, a man committed suicide after killing his wife at Shinoi village in Navakholo sub-county on February 4.
Experts believe free counseling will help prevent similar incidents in future.
“We would like to address the situation by ensuring individuals in distress are accorded the support they need,” said Ms Mukabane.
Victims of gender based violence will be issued with free P3 forms, be assisted to file cases and get treatment.
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