NAIROBI, KENYA — A female soldier from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has been found dead in Kahawa Sukari, Kiambu County, in what authorities suspect to be a case of suicide.
The body of Precious Mabonga, 24, was discovered on April 24th, hanging from metal bars within her bathroom, according to reports from military and police officials.
Mabonga, who was stationed at the Kahawa Barracks, is believed to have taken her own life using a manila rope tied to the aforementioned bars.
Investigations have revealed a prior suicide attempt by Mabonga on March 25th, 2025, which occurred at the Kahawa Barracks Military Police Unit.
Following this earlier incident, she was admitted to the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, where medical professionals diagnosed her with Recurrent Depressive Disorder.
Teams that visited the scene of her death found medication that had been prescribed for the treatment of depression. Her body has since been transferred to the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Tragically, cases of suicide among military personnel have been on an upward trend, despite ongoing efforts by authorities to address this issue.
Similar to police officers, soldiers frequently encounter significant psychological pressures stemming from managing community issues, operating in extremely challenging environments, and facing constant risks to their lives.
Over the years, an increase in fatalities among security officers has been linked to trauma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies factors such as job loss, bereavement, academic stress, legal and financial difficulties, bullying, a history of suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder as potential contributors to such cases.
The government has stated that efforts are currently underway to address the growing mental health crisis within the ranks of service members.
