Father kills 4-year-old son, dies by suicide in Nakuru

Tragedy struck Buruburu Estate in Manyani, Kivumbini Ward, Nakuru Town East Subcounty when a man killed his four-year-old son before dying by suicide.

The incident was among at least four suicide cases reported on Monday alone, police said.

Nakuru Town East Police Commander Samson Adanje confirmed the incident.

The man identified as Denis Michael Nthenge is believed to have forced his son, who was in PP1, to drink poison before hanging himself inside his home later that night.

Nthenge was embroiled in ongoing domestic disputes with his wife, who had recently left for her parents' home in Machanga area, neighbours said.

Witnesses said he picked up the child from school around 4 pm, before the tragedy happened.

Police said Nthenge left a note detailing the motive of the incident.

Elsewhere in Kipkaren, Uasin Gishu County, one Samson Shikuta, 36, died by suicide in Labuywet village.

He hanged himself using a manila rope that was tied around his neck inside his house.

Police said no suicide note was recovered and the motive was not immediately clear.

In Mbaraki, Mombasa county, the body of a man was found hanging on a mango tree after suspected suicide on Monday.

Police said the victim did not have any identification documents at the time of the discovery of the body.

Police moved the bodies to the mortuary pending an autopsy and investigations. Cases of suicide have been on the rise amid calls for action to address the trend.

The World Health Organisation says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.


Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

The government says efforts are being made to address the menace.