Residents of Kenton village in Magumu, Nyandarua county, are in shock after a 23-year-old man hanged himself.
He was the fifth family member to commit suicide in various ways over six years.
The casual laborer took his life on Monday night following an argument with his brother over proceeds from farm produce sold earlier in the day.
Elder Ambrose Kioi said the body was found hanging from a house rafter in the village off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, hours after the argument.
“This family has now lost five of its members through various forms of suicide and it seems like there is a major psychological problem,” he said.
Area chief John Njuguna said the man did not leave a suicide note.
“Initial investigations indicate the deceased had an argument with one of his kin and in anger he decided to take his life,” he said.
Meanwhile, one person died and five others were injured in a road accident involving two vehicles and a donkey cart along the Njabini-Magumu road in Kinangop constituency.
During the Monday night accident, the vendor riding the donkey cart died on the spot, as did the donkey. Five other people in a matatu and a hearse were seriously injured.
The accident occurred when the matatu driver rammed into the donkey-cart crossing the road. He lost control and hit the oncoming hearse.
Witness Abraham Kuria said the vendor was to blame for the 8pm accident a few kilometers from Magumu trading centre
The injured were admitted at Kijabe Mission Hospital in serious condition.
The body was taken to Naivasha Subcounty Hospital mortuary.
(Edited by V. Graham)
