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9-year-old Nyandarua boy dies by suicide

The boy’s mother came across the body of her son after returning from milking the cows.

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by SYLLUS ABOGE

News28 September 2023 - 12:38
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In Summary


  • •Police Commander in Nyadarua County  Omar Arero, confirmed the incident.
  • •The body was taken to the Engineer Hospital Mortuary in Nyandarua County awaiting postmortem.

Grief engulfed Njabini-Kibiru village, in Kinangop constituency, Nyandarua County, on Wednesday, following the discovery of a nine-year-old boy hanging from the roof of the family's chicken house.

Police Commander in Nyadarua County  Omar Arero, confirmed the incident.

Police said that the boy’s mother came across the body of her son after returning from milking the cows.

Authorities have initiated a thorough investigation into the untimely demise of the grade five pupil.

In accordance with the procedure, the lifeless body was taken to the Engineer Hospital Mortuary in Nyandarua County awaiting postmortem.

This tragic occurrence took place while awareness campaigns against the suicide epidemic intensified, especially since September is suicide prevention and awareness month.

The incident is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for community awareness and support of mental health concerns, especially among young people.

Cases of suicide have been on the rise with police recording up to seven incidents a week.

There were 174 cases of suicide reported in 2020 as compared to 196 in 2019, 302 in 2018, 421 in 2017 and 302 in 2016. The majority of the victims were male, police reports say.

The World Health Organization says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.

Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

WHO rates suicide as a serious global public health issue that is among the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide.

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