Kabianga University PR student strangles herself under unclear circumstances

A student at the University of Kabianga (Uok) committed suicide by strangling herself under unclear circumstances.

The decomposing body of Hellen Nyambura, a third-year Communications and Public Relations student was reportedly discovered hanging in her single room.

The deceased — who could have been in her final year at the university had she not deferred her studies last year — lived at Chemyogaa trading centre located a few metres from UoK.

The 22-year-old from Nakuru County is believed to have committed suicide on Saturday since that was the last time her neighbours reportedly saw her attending to her domestic chores.

Kericho West Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Gerald Mbae said: “The incident was reported to the police by Mobego location chief Reuben Serem after neighbours raised alarm over an odour that was coming out of the student’s room, which had been locked from the inside. When the police went to the scene and gained entry into the house by sawing off the window grills and unlocked the door, they found the deceased decomposing body dangling from the roof.”

Mbae said had it not been for the ardour and flies, the deceased’s neighbours would not have suspected anything since its normal for the students to disappear for days or lock themselves up in their rooms studying.

Mbae added that the motive behind the student’s suicide who was on the verge of completing her studies was still unclear since she left no suicide note and neither did her mates have a clue.

“We have launched investigations into the unfortunate incident, and we believe that it is only a matter of time before we unravel the mystery,” he said. The body of the deceased was taken to Kericho county hospital for preservation and post-mortem.

UoK’s public relations officer Nicholas Langat expressed shock saying:

“The university community is shocked by the death of our student. We would urge the students that whenever they are undergoing stress of any kind, they should report to the Dean of Students. We have competent counsellors and chaplains among other professionals who can assist students to resolve and cope with problems that they may be undergoing,” he said.

During the recent induction of first-year students, UoK’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Wilson Kipng’eno had advised the students that whenever there are issues, dialogue was the only avenue towards a mutual understanding within the University.

The affordable housing units by private real estate developers are popular with senior students.