A middle-aged man has died after jumping from the second floor of an office building belonging to a government agency at the Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu.
The tragic incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, October 30, prompting an immediate response from the authorities.
According to the agency, the man sustained serious injuries on impact and later succumbed. The agency described the incident as deeply regrettable and offered its condolences to the deceased's family and friends.
“We deeply regret this incident and convey heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” read part of the statement.
The agency confirmed that the matter had been reported to the relevant investigative agencies, with a probe now underway to determine the circumstances leading to the man’s death
Officials have not released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin, with the incident causing shock among staff and members of the public who were at the building during the tragedy.
Meanwhile, recent data shows a worrying rise in cases of death by suicide across Kenya, with police records indicating that at least 462 people died by suicide between June and August 2025, averaging five deaths daily.
The majority of cases were men, accounting for 83.5 per cent of cases pointing to an urgent mental health crisis that disproportionately affects men.
The 26–30 age group was the most affected, reflecting the growing psychological and economic pressures among young adults.
The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate Kenya’s age-standardised suicide rate at about 11 per 100,000 people, with experts warning that stigma and underreporting mean the true figure could be higher.
In January this year, High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi declared Section 226 of the Penal Code, which criminalises attempted suicide, as unconstitutional.
He ruled that the Penal Code was unconstitutional for violating Articles 27, 28, and 43 of the Constitution.
Counsellors, medics, and psychologists recommend seeking help whenever you experience any mental health issue. Call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.
