Rurii residents in Mwea West, Kirinyaga County, were on Sunday shocked to learn about the death of 13-year-old boy.
The boy committed suicide after his mother accused him of stealing rice from residents.
Confirming the incident, Wamumu location Chief Godfrey Mithamo said the Class Seven pupil at Rurii Primary School hung himself using a rope in his uncle’s rented house.
According to the deceased’s aunt, Sylvia Wangui, the boy had been cautioned by his mother against the company of a friend with whom they had earlier been accused by villagers of stealing rice from their homes.
The boy reportedly lived with his uncle David Njogu in a rented house – where he committed the act – about 500 meters from his mother’s house.
Mr. Njogu expressed shock at receiving the news saying he left the boy sleeping in the house on Sunday morning.
The body as taken to Kerugoya county referral Hospital;
The rise in suicide in Kenya has been attributed to depression and was evident after Kenya was named the 6th most unhappy nation in Africa by the World Health Organization (WHO).