Kirinyaga woman hangs herself after three suicide attempts

A 33-year-old woman has died by suicide at Kimicha-Rurii village in Kanyekiine ward, Kirinyaga County.

According to her mother Rose Wambui, she had left her daughter in the homestead when she went for the burial ceremony of her neighbour only to return and find her missing.

"I was shocked to find her missing, and I spent over two hours looking for her, only to find her dangling from a mango tree. I could not believe it, and that is when I cried until my relatives and neighbours came," Wambui said.

Janet Wanjiku, the deceased's aunt, said this was the third attempt by Maureen to commit suicide.

"First, she tried to throw herself into the river; the second time, she attempted suicide by using a charcoal jiko; and the third time, she tried to hang herself on a tree before she was helped," her aunt said.

Villagers who rushed to the scene after the incident raised concerns over suicide cases in the region, saying some are connected to the state of the people's mental health.

"The pressure of any kind on our minds can drive people to commit suicide, but this is too much in Kirinyaga," Susan Muthoni said.

The body was taken to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary, with worried residents saying local leaders and the church should intervene.

"The rise in cases of suicide is linked to mental health issues caused by the breakdown in socio-economic safeguards, lack of access to empowerment opportunities, and discrimination, which increase the likelihood of individuals committing suicide," Kamau Muchira, the chairman of counsellors in Kirinyaga County said.