Dark cloud hangs in Kisii as crime, murder and suicide cases escalate

The body of the missing Nyamira teacher was found on January 1, in a house belonging to one of the nurses in the county.

Police have identified the deceased as Ezekiel Nkeere Gitangwa, 47, who was reported missing on December 30, 2022.

He was last seen at Egisieri Village in West Mugirango Constituency in Nyamira County being dropped by a boda boda rider. Police are yet to arrest suspects in the murder incident.

In 2021, police in Kisii recorded a total of 126 people having been murdered in the county over a period of one year.

Nyamache Sub-county recorded the highest number of murders with 18 cases, Kenyenya had 17, Kitutu Central and Masaba South at fifteen each. Kisii South recorded 13, Sameta (11), Kisii Central (10) and Etago (7).

By late December last year, 72 were pending in various courts, while 44 were being investigated. Police were still pursuing at least 10 suspects in relation to some of the murders.

At least 12 people are facing murder charges where four elderly women were lynched in October 2021 on suspicion of practising witchcraft. The case is still at the hearings stage at Kisii Law courts under Justice Rose Ougo.

Police lead away suspects alleged to have gouged out Baby Sagini's eyes in Ikuruma, Marani, Kisii County. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Recently, a man known as Kefa Mobisa from Ibacho, Nyaribari Masaba in Kisii county dug a grave inside his house on August 24, 2022. Mobisa set his house on fire and threatened to hang himself following months of distress over an overdue loan.

Dr Mary Njuguna, a consultant psychiatrist at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) argues that a lack of socialisation is to blame for the rise in suicide cases in the county.

A counsellor, Oyugi Nyamache said the media should help society deal with mental health. "Social media like the mainstream media should focus on educating the masses on mental health and how to deal with depression."