Residents and relatives of a 60-year-old man who committed suicide on Saturday at Mikima-ini village in Kirinyaga’s Mwea-east sub-county are still coming to terms with the tragedy.
Stephen Muchiri, 60, was discovered dead inside a local private school’s toilet, according to family members led by Onesmus Muthee Mugo.
“I was shocked after i was told my brother Muchiri, who is also a church leader, had committed suicide in a private school ‘s toilets,” Muthee said.
The deceased was discovered dangling on a new rope attached to the toilet roofing, according to Samuel Kahindi, the in-charge at Mikima-ini village.
He reportedly told his wife that he was going to tether their cows near the private school where his body was discovered.
“His wife told me they had come from their rice farm, where they were spraying pests. in their rice farm ,he told her he had gone to untie their cows near the private school ;s compound little did she know he had gone to commit suicide. ‘ Kahindi said.
Residents in Kirinyaga have expressed concern about the high number of suicides reported in the area.
Two people committed suicide on Saturday in Mururi-ini village in Ndia subcounty and Githioro village in Kirinyaga central.
In the first incident, a 50-year-old man, area assistant chief Justus Mwai, hung himself on a tree, claiming he did not leave a suicide note.
“Family members have told me this is not the first time ,because he had tried to kill himself but was helped by a member of the family. ‘ Mwai said
In a separate incident, a 47-year-old man committed suicide in a mango tree at Mururi-ini village in Ndia.
According to Ndia sub county police commander Moses Koskei the deceased had woken up very early yesterday morning at around 1am where he went to his employer to milk cows but he was told to wait until morning..
The police boss said his employer was shocked to find him dangling from the mango tree in his compound and informed the authorities, who arrived immediately.
Shocked residents of Kirinyaga have decried the rise in suicidal cases, calling for intervention from church leaders, ,National government, and the county government.
