Migori Man kills himself after wife refuses to cook chicken

Police are looking into allegations that a man committed suicide at his Uriri, Migori County, home after his wife allegedly refused to cook chicken.

The 45-year-old allegedly locked himself in their home before setting himself ablaze, according to officials.

John Rugala, according to witnesses, barricaded himself inside the home before setting it on fire.

This came about following a personal dispute in which the wife refused to prepare chicken for him.

The situation is being looked at.

Despite objections in the Tuesday event, the wife is alleged to have informed the dead that the chicken belonged to their daughter.

The deceased is then alleged to have divorced his wife before committing suicide.

Locals rushed to the scene in a bid to put out the fire but their efforts were futile.

Police said the body of the deceased has been moved to Migori Level Four Hospital mortuary pending police investigations.

Elsewhere, police are investigating an incident in which a 66-year-old died by suicide after allegedly jumping into a borehole in Molo, Nakuru County.

Police who visited the home of Peter Wanderi said they were informed he had threatened to die by jumping into the family borehole before he made true his threats on July 3.

His body was later retrieved from the 25 feet borehole that supplies water for the family.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy.

Such cases are linked to societal stress which has caused many murder and suicide incidents, police said.

Up to three cases of suicide are reported daily in the country in an alarming rate.

Cases of suicide have been on the rise this year and authorities blame the trend on mental distress.

Police handled 499 cases in 2019, and 575 in 2020. At least 313 people are reported to have taken their lives between January and July 2021.

The majority of the victims were male, police reports say.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says such cases are attributed to joblessness, the breakup of relationships or a death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

Globally, close to 800,000 people die of suicide every year with an estimated 78 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Counselors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.