The continued deaths and maiming within families in Kenya is baffling and indeed heart wrecking. The suffering of the families directly affected and society at large is absolutely immense. Rest anyone forgets, it is the persons we interact with as work mates, friends, church mates, husband, wife, son, daughter who one day perpetuate this otherwise incomprehensible acts. Emphatically unfathomable! Otherwise, how do we explain a case of a couple that has lived together, has had children who are school going or settled in careers, has made milestone in wealth creation among other indicators of successful life yet one decides to wipe part or the entire family? What happens next? The perpetrator denies ever doing it and it even works well where he/she had hired hit men to do the job. Sometimes he or she runs away, hands self over to the police or commits suicide. Of course each incidence has a concomitant trigger. However, these occurrences raise fundamental questions on social and psychological health in the contemporary society.

Much as it is cherished as the foundational unit, it is essentially important to acknowledge that the Family needs support mechanisms. This can be drawn from traditional values, religious values, family therapists and the convectional law. It is unfortunate that support systems guided by aforementioned are plummeting and quite fast. A lot needs to be done to roll back this juggernaut with eyes focusing on the social institutions which include the church, government and traditional value system. Family therapists also come in handy. With their expertise, they are able to engage a disturbed individual or family to appreciate the bright path ahead and possibilities to actively overcome the current challenges. Some may need services of a psychiatrist for treatment. Notably, some people are generally suicidal and each couple needs not ignore the signs. When spouse or a child threatens to kill or commit acts of violence, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. The first step is to take the statement seriously and take caution and then seek help.

Perhaps the society needs some reorientation on the sanctity of human life which must emphatically be reemphasized in any effort henceforth. That children are caught in between and their lives not spared in some of these incidences is a serious indictment to our understanding of sanctity of life. Additionally, a robust discussion on psychological and social health culminating into policy and action is vital. In the meantime, lets us be conscious about this awful phenomenon, let’s talk about it but with hope and be active participant in seeking solutions. From the experience, it can happen to anybody poor or rich, young or old, religious or irreligious, clergy or laity, formally educated or uneducated. Without necessary mechanisms focusing on individual and society the problem may degenerate into a full blown social crisis. No one is immune. Anybody is a potential victim or a perpetrator. Your innocence is vulnerable to your spouse, your children, your brothers, your sisters or your extended family. It is time to act before it’s too late.