Family of 19-year-old Meru National Polytechnic student Fridah Makena refuted claims she died by suicide, stating she succumbed to diabetes-related complications. The case sparked social media speculation after a 26-second video surfaced showing the diploma student ingesting pills, which later circulated online following her death.
Friends reported that Fridah shared the footage and images of medication on WhatsApp, alleging her boyfriend had cheated on her. However, her family disputed the suicide narrative, revealing in a funeral statement that she had battled diabetes since her high school years. They detailed her treatment at Consolata Hospital Nkubu and Kiirua Hospital, noting she showed improvement before her condition deteriorated.
The family's account described Fridah's decline beginning on February 25, when she was admitted to Consolata Hospital Nkubu. Despite ongoing treatment, her health worsened due to kidney and liver failure, leading to her death three days after admission. A classmate confirmed the student had argued with her partner after discovering his infidelity, though they attempted to dissuade her from self-harm.
