Civil society groups have warned that men are four times more likely to take lives compared to women, a factor that is associated with economic hardship and COVID 19 pandemic hitting the country.
Speaking during the media briefing in Nairobi, civil societies including Haki Africa, Social Justice centers, Human Development Agenda which were led by Free Kenya Movement leader Bobi Njagi, said that most suicidal victims are young people aged 15-29 years.
Njagi said that there were 421 cases reported in 2019, while 418 cases were reported in six months ranging from March to August 2020.
The groups warned that such scenarios are attributed to massive job losses that hit young people due to COVID 19 pandemic in yesteryears.
They pointed that such a situation has rendered Kenyans vulnerable to recruitment to vices which include drug abuse, Criminal gangs, Violent extremism, and sexual gender-based violence.
In a bid to avert such situations in the country, the groups called the government to cut down on unnecessary government expenditure also parliament to review the law that provides the formula for calculating fuel prices to lower prices.
Consequently, the groups urged the government to integrate mental screening with care and management at primary care especially in the informal settlements.
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