Concern raised over rising cases of suicide in Embu.

Embu county commissioner Jack Obuo has raised concern over the surging cases of suicide after 15 fresh incidents were reported over three months.

He said the latest statistics indicated that five people committed suicide in September, with four recorded in October while another six fatalities were reported in November raising queries over the constant trend in recent times.

Speaking during a security briefing at his office on Wednesday, Obuo noted that all the victims were men, which could be attributed to the inability of men to deal with life stresses.He said of all the cases, the victims left behind no suicide note with a majority of cases being of hanging themselves.

The county commissioner said the cases were rampant in Embu East and West Sub-counties that were closely linked to family disputes or economic hardships.

Obuo called on society to look out and assist those in distress to stem these cases as many result in taking their own lives for lack of emotional and psychological support.

At the same time, Obuo announced that they had mounted a crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs that also had a part in the escalation of suicides and criminal activities.He said they had already profiled those involved in the illicit trade and it was a matter of time before the law caught up with them.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.