A heart-wrenching incident in Githogoro slums near Runda, Nairobi, has once again highlighted the growing mental health crisis in Kenya. On Tuesday, a 35-year-old woman, Monica Wandane Ndungu, was found dead by suicide after allegedly strangling her three young children to death. The children, aged six, four, and two, were discovered lying close to each other in their house, a grim scene that has left the community in shock.
According to Nairobi regional police commander George Sedah, the woman’s body was first discovered hanging with a bedsheet tied around her neck. A subsequent search of the house led to the discovery of her three children’s lifeless bodies, with preliminary investigations indicating that she used a bedsheet to strangle them before taking her own life. A suicide note believed to have been authored by Monica was also recovered, suggesting that she was deeply unhappy in her marriage and had a strained relationship with her husband. Authorities are conducting forensic analysis to verify the authenticity of the note.
The tragic event has left many questioning the underlying causes of such distressing incidents. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that suicide can be attributed to various factors, including depression, financial stress, joblessness, domestic violence, and mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder. Police reports indicate that cases of suicide in Kenya are alarmingly on the rise, with at least one case being reported daily. While men make up the majority of suicide victims, cases involving women have also been increasing, often linked to domestic struggles and societal pressures.
Monica’s neighbors recounted that she and her husband had been married for over a decade but had frequent quarrels. Her husband was not present at the time of the tragic incident, and authorities are now investigating further circumstances surrounding the case.
This incident is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for mental health awareness and intervention programs in Kenya. Despite efforts to combat suicide, many individuals still suffer in silence, unable to access proper psychological support. The stigma surrounding mental health continues to prevent people from seeking help, further exacerbating the crisis.
Authorities and mental health experts urge communities to be more vigilant and offer support to those exhibiting signs of distress. Establishing accessible counseling services, strengthening family and community support systems, and raising awareness about mental health could go a long way in preventing such devastating losses in the future.
As Kenya grapples with the increasing cases of suicide, the Githogoro tragedy serves as a painful call to action to prioritize mental health and provide much-needed interventions before more lives are lost.
