A college in Kabarnet, Eldoret, is mourning the death of one of its students who died by suicide.
In an official statement, the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) confirmed that the student jumped into one of its treatment tanks on Wednesday, June 11. Unfortunately, efforts by staff to save him were unsuccessful.
"The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) confirms a tragic incident that occurred on the afternoon of June 11, 2025, at the Kesses Water Treatment Plant, where a young man gained unauthorized access and jumped into one of the water treatment tanks," the statement read in part.
"Despite swift efforts by our staff to intervene, the individual could not be saved," the statement continued.
Details of the reason why the student took his own life remain scanty, but Kenyans took the opportunity to challenge parents and families to be actively involved in their children's lives.
In response to the unfortunate incident, ELDOWAS has temporarily shut down the Kesses Water Treatment Plant as a precautionary measure.
Comprehensive cleaning, flushing, and disinfection of the treatment tanks and pipelines are currently underway, with public health authorities supervising the process.
Additionally, independent laboratory testing has been commissioned to ensure that the water meets all regulatory safety standards before supply is fully restored. ELDOWAS has assured customers that no contaminated water has been distributed.
"Independent laboratory testing is being conducted to ensure that all water meets regulatory safety standards before supply is restored. To minimize service disruption, alternative water supply arrangements have been activated for the affected areas," the facility added.
This incident comes barely a month after yet another youth had thrown himself from a building in Thika.
Cases of suicide among the youth remain alarmingly high. While Kenya continues to advocate for mental health, many young people are silently battling challenges that may be contributing to the rising cases.
General mental health struggles, alongside financial, academic, and social pressures, have been identified as key factors driving the unfortunate trend.
Counsellors, medics, and psychologists continue to urge anyone experiencing mental health issues to seek help. You can call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.
