This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On Friday, a 40-year-old man identified as Simon Kinyua ended his life in a desperate bid to avoid the consequences of a botched robbery in Thika. The incident occurred after his accomplices were gunned down by the police.
According to reports, Kinyua had told his friends that he would take his own life upon learning of the demise of his accomplices. His prediction turned out to be a grim reality.
Area Chief Nancy Gichuki confirmed the incident, stating that Kinyua was suspected to be a member of a gang involved in robbery in the Central region.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a 32-year-old man from Ngomongo village in Kirinyaga Central hanged himself in his house following domestic wrangles with his wife. This is the third suicide incident reported in the area in less than a week.
As the World marked the World Suicide Prevention Day in September, data revealed that Central Kenya was leading in suicidal deaths, attributed to factors such as alcoholism, unemployment, and poverty. Kirinyaga County recorded one suicidal death every day, while Murang'a County was hit hard with four suicidal deaths each day.