By Mutuvi Janet
Ngara Girls High school fraternity is in grief after Laureen Ekale, a 15-year-old Form One student committed suicide on the evening of November 16.
It is alleged that the girl killed herself by jumping from the first floor of their dormitory during evening preps after leaving a two-page suicide note.
The note indicated that she decided to die because she was troubled after separation of her parents which had negatively affected her life.
According to some of the students who witnessed the incident, they said that she went to the balcony of the dormitory and threw herself landing on her head.
Ekale was rushed to a local hospital and later referred to Aga Khan Hospital where she was pronounced dead awaiting autopsy.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei termed the incident tragic, adding that an investigation had already been launched.
“We have been receiving increased cases of suicide in the country. Authorities blame the trend on mental distress. Suicide should be eradicated in our country. People should find better ways to solve their issues rather than taking their lives,” he remarked.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has earlier noted that suicide cases are increasing due to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.
Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.
WHO rates suicide as a serious global public health issue that is among the top 20 leading causes of death in the world currently.
