This archive report was first published on 10 September 2019.
On Sunday, a devastating incident shook the small town of Vihiga when a 60-year-old secondary school teacher, Mr. Daniel Ingoro, took his own life by setting himself on fire in his house.
Mr. Ingoro, a Biology and Geography teacher at Hobunaka Secondary School, was due for retirement in six months and had been a dedicated educator for many years.
According to County Police Commander Hassan Barua, witnesses reported seeing Mr. Ingoro buying petrol at a nearby gas station before locking himself in his house and setting it ablaze on Sunday evening.
“Witnesses informed us that he had bought petrol and locked himself in the house before setting it on fire,” Mr. Barua said on Monday.
Investigations are ongoing, and the police are still collecting information from the family, who have protested claims that the teacher set himself on fire.
Ms. Khadija Mumawi, the victim’s niece, questioned the police's haste in briefing the media, saying, “They (police) were in a hurry to brief the media yet they are still collecting information from the family.”
Mr. Ingoro's family and colleagues are in shock, with the school's principal, Mr. William Sunguti, describing him as a reserved man who shared his issues with only a few people.
The incident has sparked concerns about mental health and the need for teachers to share their challenges with their colleagues and loved ones.
