Probe as university student dies by suicide in his house in Mwiki, Nairobi

Police said the deceased was a third-year student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology who was pursuing Financial Engineering.

The body of Cliff Asmund Oroko, 22, was found hanging on a wall that borders a local chief’s camp on January 20, 2026. Police said a suicide note was found in his pocket but had not explained the motive.

Police said the note explained the deceased’s wishes after he died. Other details were not provided as the note was handed over to the family. The student lived alone in the house.

His relatives were informed of the tragedy, police said on Wednesday, adding they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

Police said the incident was the latest in a series that was reported on Tuesday, January 20 alone. Up to five suicide incidents were reported, and they are all pending under probe, police said.

The majority of the victims were men.

In one of the incidents, in Githioro, Nakuru County, one Anna Waithera, 48, died by suicide in her room.

The motive was not established, police said. The body was moved to the mortuary pending other procedures. 

In Itabua, Embu County, one Silas Kamau, 58, drowned in a plastic water tank in a suicide mission. The victim was a psychiatric patient in the area.

The body was removed from the family water tank and moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

Suicide cases have been on the rise amid efforts to address the menace. The incidents have a huge negative impact on families and friends of the victims.

The World Health Organization says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties, and financial difficulties.

Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, a history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The government says efforts are being made to address the menace.