A 55-year-old man has succumbed to death after chopping off his private parts in Ngerwe village, Kibugu area, Embu county.

Dominic Mugo is said to have severed his manhood with a pair of scissors early Monday morning. Villagers who rushed to Mugo’s home after hearing loud cries found him lying unconscious in a pool of blood and clutching on a pair of scissors.

Mugo, who was a farmer, reportedly died due to excessive bleeding as he was being rushed to hospital.

Embu North Deputy County Commissioner, Jeremiah Tumo, said Mugo was pronounced dead on arrival at the  Embu Level Five hospital.

The administrator attributed the bizarre act to mental problems associated with drug use as the deceased was a habitual bhang smoker.

“It is true that the man chopped off his manhood in what appears to have been a mental problem associated with drugs use. Members of public said they were scared of the man since he has a history of being violent. The incident, though sad, is a learning experience that drug use is not good,” he said.

Mr Tumo said they are working with members of community policing and the Nyumba Kumi initiative to weed out bhang peddlers from the area.

H said police have already launched investigations into the man’s death.