Police are investigating five suspected suicide cases reported in some parts of the country on Monday, June 30, 2025, a worrying trend highlighting the deepening mental health crisis in Kenya.
Police say the incidents, reported in Kajiado, Siaya, Kirinyaga, Vihiga, and Homa Bay counties, are currently under probe.
In Kajiado West Sub-County, 30-year-old Emmanuel Nyakora Mugaka was found hanging inside his house in Kimuka, near the SDA Church, after his employer failed to reach him by phone and sent a neighbour to check on him.
Police say officers from Kibiko Police Post, DCI Ngong, and scene-of-crime personnel visited and processed the scene. The body was taken to Ngong Sub-County Morgue pending postmortem.
In Siaya County, 33-year-old Amos Omondi Ngori was found dead in his compound in Kalandin Village, Asembo Bay, by his wife.
The man had reportedly left the house early in the morning and was later found hanging from a tree with a rope around his neck.
There was no suicide note at the scene. DCI Rarieda is investigating the matter, and the body was taken to Lwak Mission Hospital Mortuary.
In Kirinyaga West, what initially appeared to be a suicide is now suspected to be a case of murder.
The body of Godfrey Kinyua Nguru, a 28-year-old, was discovered hanging from a Muu tree in Mukithi Village, but had visible injuries on the wrist and neck.
His motorcycle was found abandoned 200 metres from the scene.
The body was moved to Kerugoya Referral Hospital Mortuary, and DCI Kirinyaga West is handling the probe.
In Vihiga County, police are investigating a suspected self-immolation after a 76-year-old man with a history of mental illness reportedly locked himself inside his house and set it ablaze.
His partially burnt body was found seated on a charred sofa set in his Emanda Village home. Neighbours had broken in after he failed to wake up as usual.
His body was moved to Vihiga Referral Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
In Homa Bay County, Felix Oduor, 29 years old, was found hanging from a tree in his homestead in Otweyo village in Gem Sori location.
His brother, James Kisibo, reported the incident after discovering the body.
Police from Asumbi Police Station processed the scene and moved the body to St. Teresa Mbeka Hospital Mortuary.
The body did not show any visible injuries or suicide note were recovered.
Police in all five counties have commenced investigations as mental health professionals and leaders call for urgent action to address the rise in suicide cases across the country.
Authorities are urging the public to seek help and speak out in times of distress.
