Kirinyaga Woman Finally Hangs Herself After 3 Botched Suicide Attempts

Story by Sammie Mugane

• Woman hangs herself on a mango tree yesternight 

• This was her forth suicide attempt after 3 previous botched attempts

Grief has engulfed residents of Kimicha-Rurii Village in Kanyakine Ward, Kirinyaga County after a 33-year-old dentified as Maureen Wanjiku committed suicide by hanging herself on a mango tree on Friday night.

Her body was spotted this morning dangling on a mango tree after she went missing since yesterday.

According to the mother Rose Wambui, she  left her daughter in the homestead when she went for a burial ceremony of her neighbour only to return and find her missing.

"I was shocked to find her missing, and I spent over two hours looking for her, only to find her dangling from a mango tree. I could not believe it, and that is when I cried until my relatives and neighbours came," Wambui said.

Janet Wanjiku, the deceased's aunt, dislosed this was the third attempt by Maureen to commit suicide after previously failing 3 times.

"First, she tried to throw herself into the river; the second time, she attempted suicide by using a charcoal jiko; and the third time, she tried to hang herself on a tree before she was helped," her aunt said.

Distraught villagers who rushed, milled and thronged at the scene of the incident raised concerns over the rampant suicide cases in the region owing to depression and mental health state.

"The pressure of any kind on our minds can drive people to commit suicide, but this is too much in Kirinyaga," Susan Muthoni said.

The body of the deceased has been taken to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary as police launch investigations on the incident.

Frantic residents pleaded with local leaders and the clergy to intervene to end the menace.

"The rise in cases of suicide is linked to mental health issues caused by the breakdown in socio-economic safeguards, lack of access to empowerment opportunities, and discrimination, which increase the likelihood of individuals committing suicide," Kamau Muchira, the chairman of counsellors in Kirinyaga County said.