This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On Saturday evening, a devastating incident shook the community in Homa Bay county. A government official, identified as Jack Ochieng, a South Kabuoch ward administrator, took his own life in a nearby forest along the Homa Bay-Mbita Road.
According to reports, Ochieng drove his car to a secluded area, parked it by the roadside, and then hanged himself with a rope in a nearby forest. The body was later retrieved from the scene.
Area Chief Jane Atieno revealed that some people had seen Ochieng in the morning, but they did not intervene as they were unaware of his intentions. 'Some people said they saw him that morning. But they did not follow him since nobody knew his intention,' Atieno explained.
Further investigation revealed that some individuals had seen the vehicle parked for an extended period with no one inside. They approached the car and found Ochieng's lifeless body dangling from a tree.
Ochieng left behind a suicide note written in Dholuo, which was found in his car. The note did not provide a clear reason for his actions, but it did contain instructions for a woman to take care of his child.
Police Commander Esther Seroney confirmed the incident and urged the public to open up and share their problems instead of resorting to suicide. 'Let people share problems when faced with challenges in the society,' Seroney said.
The body of the deceased was moved to the Homa Bay County Referral Hospital morgue.
