Man dies after setting himself on fire in Kasarani

A 29-year-old man, Denise Gakuru, died by suicide after setting himself on fire in Kasarani, Nairobi.

The motive behind the tragic incident remains a mystery. Gakuru's lifeless body was found in his house after the self-immolation took place on Monday.

Police learnt revealed that the victim had soaked a piece of cloth in paraffin as part of his plan to take his own life.

He then wrapped the soaked cloth around his body and ignited it after dousing himself with more paraffin, as per police reports.

Upon learning of the incident, concerned neighbors rushed to his aid, finding him severely burnt.

He was rushed to hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

The police have moved his body to the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy, but the motive for his actions remains unclear.

This incident adds to a series of worrying suicide cases recently reported to authorities.

In another incident in Subukia, Londiani, a 51-year-old man died by suicide by hanging himself in his house.

The body of Harrison Theuri was found hanging on a rope in the rafters of his house.

The motive of the incident is yet to be known, police said.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and further probe.

Police say cases of suicide have been on the rise amid calls for action to address the same.

There were 174 cases of suicide reported in 2020 as compared to 196 in 2019, 302 in 2018, 421 in 2017 and 302 in 2016. The majority of the victims were male, police reports say.

Police say the trend has been worrying and increasing as up to two cases are reported daily.

The World Health Organisation says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.

Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

WHO rates suicide as a serious global public health issue that is among the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide.

Kenya ranks position 114 among the 175 countries with the highest suicide rates.