Police Raise Red Flag Over Increasing Suicide Incidents
The country is grappling with a troubling surge in suicide cases, as at least six incidents were reported to the police on Sunday alone, highlighting a distressing trend. Authorities are concerned about the rising numbers, which indicate a severe mental health crisis gripping the nation. The incidents, which spanned across multiple counties, remain under investigation, even as police confirm an alarming rise in such cases.
Tigoni, Limuru (Kiambu County): The first case involved Ian Ngomo Ramba, 24, who was discovered hanging from a piece of cloth in his one-bedroomed house. The cause of his tragic decision remains unknown, and his body has been transferred to the mortuary for further examination.
Kamulu, Nairobi: In another incident, a man was found dead in his parents’ house with a manila rope tied around his neck. Preliminary investigations indicate the presence of small cut wounds on both hands, suggesting possible self-inflicted injuries. His body was moved to Kenyatta University Mortuary for postmortem.
Mwatate, Taita Taveta: Granton Ngulo Mwandango, 45, was discovered hanging from a mosquito net in his home. No suicide note was found, and the motive for his death is still unclear. His remains have been taken to Moi County Teaching and Referral Hospital for further analysis.
Mpeketoni, Lamu County: Another case involved 65-year-old Michael Nganga, who died by hanging himself with a manila rope in an unfinished house. His body, with no visible injuries, has been taken to Mpeketoni Subcounty Hospital Mortuary.
Bahati, Nakuru County: Dennis Wanjala Nyongesa, 23, an employee at a flower company, was found hanging from a tree. Authorities reported that he had been suffering from a mental disorder, but no suicide note was recovered.
Tetu, Nyeri County: A 25-year-old man, Boniface Waweru, ended his life by hanging himself using a white bed sheet in his rental house. His motive remains unknown, and his body has been taken to Nyeri Referral Hospital Mortuary.
Madiany, Siaya County: Colleta Atieno, Adula, 45, was discovered dead in her kitchen, having hanged herself with a manila rope. The authorities did not find any suicide note, and her body has been transferred to Madiany Subcounty Hospital Mortuary.
Kabartonjo, Baringo County: In a different incident, David Kipkulei Chebet, 35, died after ingesting poison. A bottle containing the suspected substance was found beside him, and his body was moved to Baringo County Referral Hospital for analysis.
Tragically, a medical intern, Desree Moraa, 27, also took her own life in Gatundu Town, leaving behind a suicide note that shed light on a stressful work environment and personal struggles. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for reform in healthcare workplaces. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) demanded better working conditions, mental health support, and fair compensation for healthcare workers to prevent further loss of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously warned that suicide can result from factors such as joblessness, academic pressure, financial difficulties, bullying, and mental health disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.
Police have expressed deep concern over the rising cases, with an average of two cases reported daily, urging society to take mental health seriously and seek timely interventions to prevent more tragedies.
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Police Raise Red Flag Over Increasing Suicide Incidents
