Shock as Kasarani Man Wraps Self with Rags, Sets Self Ablaze in Suicide Mission
A family is in shock after their kin set himself on fire in a suicide mission in Kasarani area, Nairobi.
Police say they are investigating the motive behind the incident in which a 29 year old died by suicide after setting himself on fire in Kasarani area, Nairobi.
The badly burnt body of Denise Gakuru was found in his house long after he had set himself on fire.
Police said they are yet to establish the motive of the October 23 incident.
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The family told police the victim first soaked a piece of rag in paraffin as part of the plans to die by suicide.
He then wrapped the rag around his body before he lit a fire. This was after he doused more paraffin on himself.
This prompted him to raise alarm for help. He was alone in the house, the family told police.
His neighbours rushed to his rescue and found he had been severely burnt.
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He was rushed to hospital where he died while being attended to.
Police said his body was moved to the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary pending autopsy.
It is the latest case of suicide to be reported to police in a series that is worrying.
Police say cases of suicide have been on the rise amid calls for action to address the same.
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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.