Headteacher Kills Self In School

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Police fetch a body at a crime scene in Kiambu in 2019
File

A primary school headteacher took his own life inside his offices at the institution's administration block. 

Kioko Mutie committed suicide on Monday evening, June 21, 2021, at Yanyonge Primary School. 

Area Assistant Chief Mulinge Wambua confirmed the incident, stating that they were astounded by the death as the 46-year-old teacher was a charismatic leader. 

"He had never shown any signs of depression as he was full of life," Wambua noted. 

A casket being lowered into the ground
An undated photo of a casket being lowered into the ground.
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The authorities could not ascertain why he took his own life. A search for a suicide note or any other hints was futile.  

Pupils and teachers converged at the administration block to mourn their principal who hanged himself. 

Teachers and parents lauded the deceased stating that he was an education enthusiast and disciplinarian. 

"He always arrived in school early to begin teaching and correlated well with teachers," a tutor eulogised, adding that he was a student's favourite. 

The body of the deceased was ferried to a nearby morgue awaiting a postmortem by a government pathologist. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 800,000 people die from suicide each year (that is one person every 40 seconds), the majority of them aged 15-29, in which age-group suicide is the second leading cause of death.

In Kenya, WHO data estimates that 1408 people commit suicide yearly, or simply put, four deaths daily, a number that is higher than what the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reported for 2018: 421 deaths. 

"The country has experienced a sharp increase in suicide cases, mental health conditions, substance use and addictive disorders which points to social challenges and unmet needs at the societal level.

"Our policies recognize the need to promote mental health, adoption of preventive programmes focusing on families and communities at all cross-sectoral levels and reduce stigma. Some of the activities in the action plan include enhancing mental health literacy, addressing the determinants of mental health and reduction of risk factors," Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi stated in June 2021 during the launch of the Kenya Mental Health Action Plan (2021-2025).

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Health CAS Mercy Mwagangi issuing an update on coronavirus at Mbagathi Hospital on Saturday, March 14, 2020
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke
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