Police in Syokimau have confirmed the death of a 22-year-old Strathmore University student who committed suicide on Tuesday evening at a popular city Mall.
Basil Nyaga Mbugua is said to have moved to the rooftop of Gateway Mall in Syokimau, Machakos County, where he jumped off to the ground floor, dying on the spot.
The motive for the incident was not immediately established. The body was moved to Montezuma Funeral Home pending autopsy.
Suicide cases among University students have been on rise in the recent years in the country, a worrying trend for education stakeholders who are now seeking ways to address the problem.
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Some of the causes of suicides in universities include depression, substance abuse, unhealthy romantic relationships, and family rows.
In 2018 alone, at least 12 university students committed suicide, and more than half of these cases resulted from love-related disputes.
Some institutions have, however, been reluctant to share statistics of suicides in their institutions for fear that this could impact their institution negatively.
Various bodies comprising counselors and psychologists have been encouraging young Kenyans to reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues.
Some institutions have also established wellness and rehabilitation Services to provide professional and youth-friendly psychological counseling.
