A woman dies by suicide and blames the decision on loans

Woman died by suicide, blames decision on loans /FILE

Police in Machakos are investigating an incident in which a woman died by suicide after leaving a note detailing her reasons for her actions.

The deceased victim, who was in his 30s, is said to have hanged himself from a tree outside his marital home on the outskirts of Machakos City on Saturday.

In the suicide note, pHe accused her of, among other things, pressure from the lending company after allegedly taking out the loan and difficult economic times.

“Those who think online lending is good know that it is not,” the note reads.

The body was found hanging from the top of a tree with a sisal rope around its neck.

A detective privy to the case told The Star they are investigating the incident.

In the note, the woman reportedly stated that her children should be sent to an orphanage and her body buried on her father’s farm.

She listed some of the people she owed money to, along with instructions on how to pay them.

The woman who mentioned the amount next to the names of her debtors did not say who would pay off the debts.

She did not indicate the amount she borrowed on the banknote.

Police moved the body to the Machakos Level 5 Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy.

Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia has again highlighted the increase in suicide cases in the county.

Lobolia stated that most of the people who committed suicide in Machakos, Kathiani, Matungulu, Kangundo, Yatta, Masinga, Mwala and Athi River sub-counties were adult men.

However, he noted that Athi River sub-district has the least number of suicide cases.

Athi River deputy chief Martin Ngomo said at least one person dies by suicide every month in his jurisdiction.

“We have observed an increasing trend in the number of suicide deaths in the Athi river sub-location. In the last three months, three people have committed suicide in the area,” Ngomo said.

On Monday, Ngomo spoke to The Star at his office in Athi River town.

He cited misunderstandings between couples, trauma and life challenges as some of the causes of suicides in the area.

Ngomo said that in his sub-location, men between the ages of 24 and 40 are dying by suicide.

“Speak out. Orphans, widows and widowers should not be left to die by suicide. If you have problems, seek help from chiefs, churches and village elders. You can get guidance, advice and material support,” Ngomo said.

The administrator said that there are non-governmental organizations in Athi River sub-district that are supporting the vulnerable population.

“I want to tell society that suicide is not the solution to problems. Whatever it is, the solution is the church, the NGO and the government offices. Speak up and you will get help,” Ngomo said.

Ngomo said the death rate has also increased in this sub-location.

“Every week, one person dies from diseases such as high blood pressure, pneumonia, malaria or other causes. Let’s protect ourselves so that the death rate can be reduced,” he said.

He said that around 50,000 people live in the Athi river sub-location.

MCA nominee Irene Mulu said it is unfortunate that suicide rates are on the rise, especially among men in Machakos County.

Mulu said marital problems and poverty were the main causes.

“Men cannot open up like women when something is wrong, especially in their homes. I talked to some police officers about this some time ago and they told me that some women had moved to the nearest markets for business, leaving their elderly husbands at home, thus committing suicide out of frustration,” Mulu said.

“Secondly, when men find it difficult to meet the needs of their families due to the current economic situation, they cannot bear the shame of being blamed by society. As a result, they die by suicide,” Mulu said.

She said every hospital ward across Machakos County should have a counseling unit where people struggling with mental health issues could have sessions with qualified counselors.

Mulu said people in rural areas don’t open up because of the stigma.