By Enock Okong’o
Kisii county police commander Mr Francis Kooli has decried the high rate of teenage suicide in the area. He appealed to parents, teachers and other social workers to move with speed and curb the vice in the region.
The police boss was speaking at Marani Subcounty where a standard seven girl reportedly committed suicide for unknown reasons.
According to her mother Mrs. Ruth Kemunto, the minor left school and went to the river to fetch water for evening chores. When she returned home, she reportedly left for a neighbour’s compound for evening group studies. Later on, she went home and entered her room where she stayed until morning when her body was found hanging from the ceiling.
The police from Marani station removed the body to Kisii Teaching and Referral hospital for autopsy.
Mr. Kooli identified the body as that of Melisa Kemunto, a 12 years old pupil of Ebate primary school in Kisii county.
Kisii County education board chairman Professor Henry Onderi talked of the mess caused by the bodaboda riders to the school girls. He said that most of them lure the girls with motor cycle rides in exchange of their tender bodies. He added that when the girls become pregnant, they are disappointed and sought suicide as a panacea.
Professor Onderi asked parents to be responsible for the safe transportation of their children to and from schools.
He also appealed to the police to work with the community policing groups at the village level to identify the youths involved in drug abuse and other related vices and arrest them.
