Njoroge Kunuthia, the serving Member of Parliament for Gatundu North Constituency has expressed concerns about the high number of people committing suicide at Ndarugu Dam in Kiambu County.
While fielding questions to Cabinet Secretary for Water Alice Wahome on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday, July 26, Kinuthia claimed that the suicide rate in Ndarugu Dam is significantly higher than the national average, describing it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
The Member of Parliament claimed that several Kiambu residents had committed suicide at the dam and called for immediate response.
"Is the Cabinet Secretary aware that Ndarugu Dam is a black spot due to the fact that the water body has not been fenced from the nearby community," Kinuthia asked Wahome.
Kinuthia warned that he would take drastic action to ensure that the government, and particularly, CS Wahome is held to account over what he termed as the negligence which has led to unnecessary deaths.
According to the Gatundu North MP, the government's failure to fence the dam was a major contributing factor to the high suicide rate in the country.
"The dam itself may also be a factor," Kinuthia stated on the floor of the National Assembly.
Apart from fencing the dam, Kunuthia appealed to the government to take concrete steps to address the problem including fencing the facility and provide more mental health resources.
He also urged people who are struggling with mental heath to seek help from professionals.
"The suicide rate in Ndarugu Dam is a tragedy, and it is important that we do everything we can to prevent more deaths. I hope that your ministry will take these concerns seriously and take action to address this problem.
In response, CS Wahome acknowledged the problem and promised to immediately begin the process of fencing the dam whose construction remains contentious.
"I have instructed senior officers at the Ministry to commence the process of reviewing the available options in the immediate, short and long term so as to remedy the situation," CS Wahome stated.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that she will personally take up the matter.
