This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On Saturday morning, a 74-year-old woman from Lwandeti location in Matete Sub County took her own life by throwing herself into a borehole.
According to Festus Mukechi, the Maturu Sub Location Assistant Chief, the deceased, Ruth Mulongo, left her house around 1 am, and her daughter initially thought she was answering a call of nature and would return.
However, when Mulongo failed to return after a prolonged period, her daughter became worried and decided to investigate further.
She looked outside and even checked the toilet but couldn't find her mother anywhere.
It was only when she was on her way to inform her brother that she heard her mother screaming from the borehole.
Her cries for help attracted the attention of nearby villagers, who rushed to the scene but were unable to save her life due to lack of equipment.
Police officers from Matete Sub County removed the body and took it to Chebaiywa mortuary in Uasin Gishu County for further investigation.
Although the exact reason for Mulongo's tragic decision is yet to be established, a family member, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the deceased had been involved in a land dispute with one of her sons.
