Kakamega man commits suicide after he was stopped from digging own grave

A 37-year-old man has stunned villagers at Chebwai after he committed suicide moments after he was stopped from digging his own grave.

Luvale Mutochi allegedly pulled a small bottle and drank from it outside his hut as his family members and some villagers watched in disbelief.

“I was called by a close family member who informed me that the deceased was digging a grave, he was still busy digging when I arrived. But moments later, he pulled a bottle and ingested the contents. He entered the house and took some water which could have catalyzed the poison reaction leading to his death,” said Chegulo chief Juma Inzai.

According to the chief, the deceased came to where they were standing and later walked towards his house before committing suicide by taking poison.

“Our frantic efforts to save his life were too little too late because the damage had been done by the time he was rushed to a nearby health facility,” said the chief.

Peter Mutochi, the deceased’s father told journalists that the son got annoyed after his mother stopped him from selling her chicken.

“He had indicated that he wanted to buy some clothes but after his mother told him off, he started digging the grave near his house. My wife followed him and demanded to know why he was doing such a thing, he excused himself only to return with the poison which he would later ingest,” said Mutochi.

The family said the incident has left them in shock because they did not expect their son to commit suicide over such a small issue.

Lilian Khaendi, a cousin to the deceased said a disagreement over a chicken cannot be a reason for one to end his life.

“We don’t know why he decided to end his life just because of a small matter that could have been easily resolved, his death is a major blow.”

The family has embarked on arrangements to bury the body.  Elders said the deceased’s body must be buried at night in line with the Luhya community beliefs and practices.

According to the beliefs, the body has to be interred at night as a way of exorcising evil spirits that could return to haunt the family members.