Kilifi has recorded 58 suicide cases in the past year, raising concerns about the growing mental health burden, particularly among men and the elderly.
County health officials and mental health stakeholders have warned that untreated mental health conditions, family conflicts and inheritance disputes could be contributing to suicide cases and the killing of elderly people.
County mental health officer Dr Nuru Kibivige said most of the reported suicide cases involved men, with elderly people also among those affected.
She said the county was working with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya to establish mental health clinics across the county to improve access to treatment and support for affected individuals.
“Our statistics indicate we have a big burden on mental health and one of the challenges is suicide, where men are the most affected. We call on communities to live harmoniously with the elderly and stop killing them,” Kibivige said.
She urged families to treat older members with dignity, noting the challenges associated with ageing could expose them to stress and depression.
Basic Needs Basic Rights programme coordinator in Kilifi county, Job Monyonjo, said the organisation was partnering with the county health department to increase mental health awareness and establish clinics across the seven subcounties.
He said the initiative also involved training community-level leaders and health workers to identify mental health challenges and share information on prevention.
“We have trained grassroots health workers, chiefs and Nyumba Kumi officials so they can relay mental health messages across homesteads and prevent the spread of mental health challenges and related deaths,” Monyonjo said.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule called for stronger engagement between young people and the elderly to address family disagreements before they escalated into violence.
She said inheritance disputes were among the issues fuelling tensions between some young people and their elderly relatives.
“Some youth take arms and kill their elderly parents out of stress because the elders have refused to give them inheritance, and they hide behind witchcraft to commit these vices. We should have dialogue between the various age groups to bridge that gap,” Chibule said.
She urged communities to promote dialogue across generations, seek peaceful solutions to family disputes and strengthen awareness of mental health challenges.
Instant analysis
Kilifi’s 58 reported suicide cases in one year highlight the need for accessible mental health services and stronger community support systems. The focus on men and the elderly raises concerns about social isolation, family conflict and the pressures associated with ageing. Plans to establish mental health clinics across the seven sub-counties could improve access to care, while training grassroots health workers and local administrators may help identify cases early.
