A 45-year-old resident of Pambala Village, Obbo Payam of Magwi County, died after taking rat poison accidentally on Sunday.
The man, identified as James Kadogo, reportedly died as he was being rushed to the Obbo Primary Health Care Center.
Obbo Payam head Chief Okumu Ringo Smart told Radio Tamazuj Monday that Kadogo died on Sunday afternoon after swallowing a chemical used for poisoning rats.
“He took the drug at around 9pm after making interactions with the neighbors and some friends,” he said.
County Commissioner Benjamin Pole Pole confirmed the incident, describing it as a painful situation for the county.
He said police were investigating the matter and called on the government and partners to create awareness on the use of drugs.
“I am aware and I have given the chance to the police to proceed with the investigations. It is very painful for our community,” Pole Pole said.
The Executive Director for Peace Link Foundation, Charles Okullu, cautioned the residents on the use of chemicals.
He stressed that the government should investigate the alarming suicides in the state and offer psychotherapy to the residents.
“One of the cardinal rules of life is self-preservation in such a way that a human being does not have the right to kill himself or herself. It is an unfortunate situation but we know at the moment that people are traumatized and they require collective efforts to deal with such issues,” Okullu said.