Shock as Kirinyaga man dies by suicide after battle with mental illness

The man, identified as Ephantus Mbari, was found dead on Thursday morning after hanging himself from an avocado tree belonging to a neighbour.

According to his brother, Stephen Kaunda, the incident was discovered after residents raised alarm early in the morning.

“I received a call from a neighbour who said there was a man hanging from John Kangi’s avocado tree. I asked my brother to go and check because women were screaming. I was shocked when I was told it was my brother, Ephantus Mbari,” Kaunda said.

Kaunda revealed that Mbari had struggled with suicidal thoughts for a long time and had attempted to take his own life on five previous occasions.

“This was the fifth attempt, and unfortunately he succeeded this time. We had saved him three times from hanging and twice from poisoning, but today he is gone,” he said.

The family described the incident as a double tragedy, noting that Mbari’s wife had died just a day earlier after a long battle with cancer. Both bodies are currently at Kibugi Funeral Home.

“We are overwhelmed. My brother’s wife died yesterday after fighting cancer, and now we have lost him as well. We are appealing for support during this difficult time,” a family member said.

A friend of the deceased, Eliud Muriithi, expressed concern over the rising number of suicide cases, attributing many of them to stress and impulsive decisions.

“Suicide cases seem to be increasing despite efforts to address the problem. Some cases, like this one involving my friend, may be driven by overwhelming stress and impulsive actions,” Muriithi said.

Local authorities are investigating the incident as the family prepares burial arrangements.