A young Burundian man, identified as 18-year-old Leonard Habimana, collapsed at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) office on Kasuku Road in Nairobi on Sunday.
Police were alerted after the incident and responded quickly, finding Habimana unconscious on the floor. According to reports, Habimana, a registered refugee with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), collapsed suddenly during his visit to the KNCHR office.
During a search of his belongings, police discovered an open sachet of rat poison containing remnants of the substance, along with a water bottle holding a dark liquid believed to be a mixture of water and poison. Paramedics provided immediate assistance, and Habimana was transported to Mbagathi District Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
Two Additional Suicide Cases Reported in Kenya
In separate incidents, two men reportedly took their own lives over the weekend. In Kisumu’s Ahenyo Village, 39-year-old Maurice Omondi Onyango was found hanging from a tree. Police confirmed that no suicide note was left behind, and his body was taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) mortuary for a postmortem.
Another case occurred in Nyeri County’s Kieni East, where Paul Maina Gakuru, 53, allegedly ingested herbicides before hanging himself. Authorities recovered two herbicide containers—Rocket 44EC and Bestox—near the scene. His body was transferred to Mary Immaculate Hospital Mortuary in Mweiga for further examination.
Rising Suicide Rates Highlight Global Mental Health Crisis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is a global issue, with approximately 703,000 deaths annually, ranking it as the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29. Contributing factors can include unemployment, loss, academic pressure, financial strain, and mental health challenges such as depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, resources are available to provide support.
