GATANGA, Murang’a — A cloud of sorrow settled over the Gatunyu area in Gatanga sub-county on Friday morning, following the tragic discovery of the body of a middle-aged man.
Police said the deceased, identified as William Gitau was found at a borehole within his uncle’s homestead by his relatives during their early morning chores.
According to family members, Gitau had been grappling with a complex set of health and personal challenges.
His brother, Stephen Ng’ang’a, revealed that the deceased had recently struggled with mental health issues and had expressed feelings of being unwell.
Compounding his situation, Gitau was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis. However, he reportedly found it difficult to adhere to the strict medical regimen, particularly the requirement to abstain from alcohol.
“This has really shocked us. My brother has left behind small children under the care of his wife, who is a casual labourer,” Ng’ang’a said.
In a heartfelt plea to the community, Ng’ang’a urged men to shun destructive habits such as substance abuse and instead seek constructive ways to navigate the pressures of life.
Pastor Kamau Kimachu, a cousin to the deceased, recalled a haunting encounter with Gitau earlier that morning. He noted that Gitau seemed unusually distant and avoided any social interaction.
“I wish he had opened up to me about what was troubling him. I would have encouraged him and given him hope,” Kimachu said.
The tragedy has reignited fears regarding a burgeoning mental health crisis in the region.
Pastor Kimachu pointed to two other recent incidents that have shaken the locality: a woman found wandering in distress at Kagio market on Christmas Day, and a young man who fatally stabbed himself in the Kagio area just two days later.
The Pastor attributed the vulnerability of residents to high unemployment rates and called for a systemic shift in how the community handles psychological distress.
“Let’s create a culture where people can speak out about their difficulties and seek help,” Kimachu urged.
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The incident in Murang’a mirrors a sobering national trend. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that Kenya loses approximately four citizens to suicide every day, with an age-standardized rate of 11 per 100,000 people.
Furthermore, mental illness accounts for roughly 13% of the country’s total disease burden, with over 10% of the population estimated to live with a common mental disorder.
Globally, the situation is equally dire, with over 720,000 lives lost annually to suicide, making it the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 29.
