By Mercy Imali
One pupil in West Pokot County committed suicide while her friend and schoolmate who also attempted to do so, has been hospitalized. Both were 14-years.
They both drank acaricide, a mite and tick poison, in their dormitory on Tuesday evening. The suicide and attempted suicide shocked pupils, parents and teachers.
West Pokot criminal investigation officer Michael Mwenze said “We established that the two took acaricide after they locked themselves inside the dormitory where they mixed it with water.”
He added that statements recorded by the matron and a teacher revealed that the two sneaked out of school on Tuesday for games in Makutano town where they were not participating. They secluded themselves and were seen talking to each other before buying the 50ml poison and sneaking back into school in the evening.
Mwenze said, “During evening classes when the teacher was distributing sanitary towels, she discovered the pupils were missing. They were found unconscious in their beds. They were rushed to Kapenguria Referral Hospital where unfortunately, Leah Cherop died. Silvia Chelimo was later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where she is recuperating. A postmortem was done and we are awaiting results from government chemist.”
He went on to say, “They left their parents’ names in an exercise book, including a remark; ‘Bye, our good friend Sarah.’ The book was found on one of their beds.
He noted that suicides have increased in the County and advised victims of depression to seek counsellors, despite few being available.
“Guiding and counselling should be enforced in learning institutions. Parents should be close to their children and try to establish what’s stressing them. Many youths are depressed out of betting and losing a lot of money in gambling.”