Media personality and UDA candidate in the Kiambu Women Representative race, Anne Wamuratha has clarified a statement where she lamented the deteriorating rates of mental health in the county.
In a statement on Monday, May 2, the candidate explained that those who suffer mental health challenges are not mad as some people may have interpreted her comment during a media interview on Inooro TV.
She added that the rising cases of mental illness- manifested by an increase in suicide and murder cases - were not just in Kiambu but in the whole country.
Wamuratha urged her competitors and the political class in Kiambu not to politicize mental health and instead help her in tackling the scourge.
She asked members of the public to adopt a proactive approach in handling mental health just as they take the physical illness seriously by getting medication or going to the hospital.
“If you are hungry, you eat food, if you have malaria you take prescribed medication, in the same spirit you should visit a therapist when you have a problem altering your mental well-being” she retorted.
She cited the recent incident where a 23-year-old high school student murdered her mother and brother in cold blood arguing that if serious attention had been given to addressing the mental condition of the young man the unfortunate incident would not have happened.
"If you give me the opportunity to serve as the Woman Representative, I will build centers in several sub-counties where residents will visit qualified counselors to tackle the mental health menace” she retaliated in a charm offensive.
The former presenter talked her way into trouble over her choice of words during a talk show on Inooro TV where she appeared alongside Murang'a Woman Representative candidate Waithira Muithirania.
"Waithira has talked very well with regard to the coffee and tea cash crops which are big issues in Murang'a. Every leader talks about things that matter to their people and for me, mental health will be the priority, people here in Kiambu are very sick," she stated.
The comment drew criticism, with some of her critics claiming she had equated mental health to economic cash crops that other counties produce.
The exchange also came at a time when the budding politician was on the spot for throwing pieces of cake to youth who had graced a rally in Ruiru. In the Monday statement, Wamuratha did not respond o the video that has since gone viral.
Counselors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.
