Detectives in Nairobi are investigating the suspected suicide of a 71-year-old Catholic priest who was found dead inside his room at a seminary along Lang’ata Road.
The deceased, a Rwandan national, was found hanging from the door of his room at the seminary, police and witnesses said.
The incident was reported on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by officials of the seminarians’ formation at the institution, police said on Thursday.
Police said the priest had allegedly used a nylon rope around his neck.
His body had no visible physical injuries.
A notebook containing handwritten contacts of family members and a passport were recovered from the scene.
Police visited the scene and processed it.
The body was subsequently moved to the Montezuma Funeral Home, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
The police did not reveal the motive of the incident. His colleagues said he had not shown any form of depression to lead to the suicide and called for a probe.
Elsewhere, police in Lower Yatta, Kitui county, are investigating the suspected suicide of a 70-year-old man who was found hanging inside his house.
The deceased, identified as Matheka Mbaluka, was discovered at his home in Mingetoni Village on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Police said Mbaluka had allegedly used a rope to hang himself from his neck inside the house. His body was discovered by a resident identified as Micah Syokau.
No suicide note was found at the scene.
Crime scene procedures were carried out before the body was moved to Kiusyani Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
Suicide has been a leading cause of deaths in the country amid efforts to solve the trend.
Authorities and mental-health organisations have repeatedly called for people experiencing severe emotional distress, financial difficulties, relationship problems or other pressures to seek help.
The World Health Organisation says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties. Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.
Police and other officials have urged anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or facing serious emotional distress to seek immediate assistance from trusted relatives, health professionals or relevant support services.
