Kisumu: A form-three student committed suicide in Kasagam 'A' sub-location in Kisumu East on Thursday night under unclear circumstances. Confirming the incident, Kisumu East Sub-County Police Commander Edward Masibo reported that the father of the deceased arrived home from work at around 6:00pm to discover his son's lifeless body hanging from the rafters of their rented house.
According to Kenya News Agency, the deceased, Collins Achola Otieno, 17, had recently dropped out of school and was living with his father. The motivation behind the teenager's suicide remains unknown, as the note he left behind only specified his burial preferences. Police are actively investigating the incident, and the body has been transferred to Kisumu Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem as the family prepares for burial.
Globally, there are 720,000 suicide deaths reported annually, with Kenya reporting an average of four suicide deaths per day and 470 attempted suicides annually, though actual figures may be higher due to underreporting. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified suicide as the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds globally. In 2021, the suicide rate in Africa was recorded at 11.5 per 100,000 people, compared to the global average of 8.9 per 100,000.
Kenya, ranked as the sixth African country with the highest depression levels, has seen a surge in suicide cases, exacerbated by the mental health challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Stressful life events and interpersonal stressors are recognized as contributing factors to suicide risk, highlighting the need for increased mental health support and awareness.