A student from a technical training institute in Kericho has reportedly died by suicide at Roskobe waterfall in Kipkelion over gambling-related stress.
The body of Brian Kipngeno, who had been missing for a month, was found floating at the base of the waterfall.
Area Chief Nelson Korir confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased left a note indicating he had taken his own life after losing a substantial amount of money.
“The deceased has been missing for over a month now, and the search has been ongoing. He left a note indicating that he had lost a substantial amount,” he said.
According to the chief, Kipngeno lost more than KSh150,000 through the popular online betting game Aviator, which included operational funds from a petrol station where he had worked earlier.
READ ALSO:
Evaleen Mitei to serve as acting TSC CEO as Dr Nancy Macharia bids farewell
Chief Korir expressed deep concern over the growing addiction to gambling among young people in the region, calling for urgent, collective interventions to address the crisis.
“This is not the first case. Gambling is destroying lives. We must act now before more families are affected,” he said.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and the body has been moved to the Londiani Sub-County Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem.
This tragedy comes just weeks after a teacher reportedly took his own life in a similar case, after losing over KSh700,000 on Aviator. The back-to-back incidents have intensified pressure on the government to introduce tougher regulations to curb betting and protect vulnerable groups.
By Kimutai Langat
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
