A primary school teacher has died after allegedly consuming pesticide under unclear circumstances.
The teacher whom sources identified as George Otieno Abor, died at Bondo County hospital in Bondo sub-county where he had been rushed after being found unconscious.
Sources indicated that George – who is married – had been having domestic problems – and had at some point opened up about it to the area chief.
Bondo Township Chief Mr Walter Omollo told the media that Otieno and his wife were having problems at home – and there were instances when he had to sit them down to try and resolve their differences after the wife accused deceased of not providing for the family.
Otieno was a teacher at Manyonge Primary School, in Manyonge village, Bondo County.
“Otieno confided in me about some Ksh80,000 bank loan which he had been servicing monthly, putting a strain on his finances,” said the Chief.
The body was taken to Bondo County hospital mortuary.
Otieno’s death comes at a time when the country has recorded rising cases of suicide – as many people face economic challenges brought about by the vagaries of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Depression is said to be affecting more than 1.9 million people in Kenya alone, with cases of suicide in the country rising at an alarming rate of 58 per cent – with research showing that more men are likely to commit suicide compared to women.
There is a general belief that the problem could lie on the extensive burden of masculinity – as most men tend to bottle things up – not wanting to show that they could be having emotional burdens they are battling in their lives.