Kenya is grappling with an alarming rise in sudden deaths and suicides, with police recording multiple cases daily. In separate incidents reported on February 11, three bodies were discovered under mysterious circumstances, while two other individuals died by suicide in different parts of the country.
The first case was reported in Kiambaa, Kiambu County, where 29-year-old Miriam Kalekye Kyalo was found lifeless in her house. Her body was discovered on the floor, with her legs resting on the bed and bloodstains on her mouth. However, there were no visible injuries. Authorities moved her remains to Kihara Level Four Hospital morgue, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
In another unsettling incident in Nanyuki’s Nturukuma sub-location, the lifeless body of James Mwiti Mwongera was found on his sofa in his sitting room. Like Kyalo, Mwongera’s body bore no physical injuries, leaving investigators puzzled about the cause of his death. His body was transported to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, in Kitengela, Kajiado County, another man was discovered dead in an open field. He was dressed in a checked blue shirt and blue jeans, with a pink Omo detergent sachet in his pocket. Blood was seen oozing from his mouth, though his body bore no visible injuries. Authorities moved his remains to Kitengela Sub-County Hospital morgue for identification and further examination.
Amid these unexplained deaths, two individuals took their own lives in separate incidents. In Karatu, Gatundu South, Kiambu County, 34-year-old John Kingori was found hanging from a rooftop truss inside a woman’s house. The woman was washing clothes outside when the tragic incident occurred. No suicide note was recovered, and the motive remains unclear. His body was taken to Gatundu Level Four Hospital mortuary for further examination.
Similarly, in Kithimu, Embu County, 23-year-old Kevin Mugambi was discovered hanging from a tree. Police transported his body to the mortuary, where an autopsy will be performed.
The increasing number of sudden deaths and suicides in Kenya has raised concerns among authorities and mental health advocates. Police report receiving up to four cases of sudden deaths daily, a worrying trend that calls for urgent intervention. Mental health experts are urging the government and communities to increase awareness, provide counseling services, and implement preventive measures to address the growing crisis.
