Kirinyaga woman dies by suicide a week after husband’s burial

In the latest incident, the woman is reported to have died by suicide on Sunday night at her rented house in Kerugoya town, Kirinyaga Central Sub-county, barely a week after the burial of her husband.

Residents of Kerugoya, led by Sophia Wanjiru and Purity Muthoni, said the deceased, identified as Jackline Njeri, was a trader at Kerugoya Market and well known among her colleagues.

“We closed Kerugoya Market last week to attend the burial of her husband. This week, we rushed here after residents raised an alarm that Jackline was no more,” Wanjiru said.

Purity Muthoni described the incident as shocking, noting that the deceased was a mother of one child and did not leave behind a note.

“As traders at Kerugoya Market, we are deeply saddened. We buried her husband last week, and now we must come together again to give Jackline a dignified send-off,” she said.

On December 23, 2025, business activities at Kerugoya Market were paralysed as traders attended the burial of the woman’s husband, Robert Migwi. More than 400 traders reportedly closed their businesses and held a peaceful procession through Kerugoya town in his memory.

“We held prayers at the market for about an hour before escorting Robert Migwi’s body to Kandongu Village in Mwea West Sub-county, where he was laid to rest,” said Patrick Gathaku, a trader at the market.

Meanwhile, public health experts have continued to raise alarm over the increasing number of suicide cases linked to mental health challenges. Speaking during the burial of 53-year-old Mathew Njiru Muchira, who also died by suicide last week, Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni Muriuki urged families and communities to take mental health concerns seriously.

“Mental illness should not be ignored. Family members and communities must support their loved ones when they notice changes, instead of condemning or isolating them,” the Principal Secretary said.