Standard One pupil commits suicide in Kericho

Kenya, Nairobi: A Standard One pupil at Kaitui Primary School in Kericho County has committed suicide by hanging himself using a mosquito net on a tree outside his home.

Bargeywet Sub-location Assistant Chief Peterson Rono said the nine-year old boy, Simeon Cheruiyot, was found dangling from the tree.  Efforts by residents to rescue him were futile as was pronounced dead on arrival at Kericho District Hospital.

"The boy was at home alone since Standard One pupils do not go back to school after the lunch break," Rono said.

Rono said the circumstances which led the boy to take away his life remained unknown although he added that the deceased and his sibling lived with their father only after their mother left her matrimonial home following incessant domestic squabbles.

The body of the deceased was moved to Kericho District Hospital Mortuary to await post-mortem.