KENYA : A Zetech University student, Ryan Kitari, took his own life in his Witeithie apartment, Thika on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Ryan Kitari’s body was discovered by other tenants hanging on the wall of the upper floor of the storey building on the morning of December 11.
The deceased’s tragic decision came after he posted a heartfelt and disturbing note on his Facebook page on Tuesday, December 10, just a day prior to the unfortunate decision.
The young student detailed his struggles with financial hardship, academic pressure, and personal trauma as the reasons for his suicide.
He also expressed his distress over not being able to continue with his teaching practice scheduled for January 2025, a blame he put on his teacher.
Ryan Kitari went on to apologise to his people, stating that he has been faking everything about his lifestyle.
He revealed that he had been faking a prosperous life while grappling with unpaid rent, lack of food, and having to sell his household items to survive.
“I chose to be a nice liar rather than a crybaby, while my world was crumbling. During all that, I diverted my psychological attention to relationships and my future, which kept me going,” Kitari said on Facebook.
“To begin with, my rent hasn’t been paid, my gas ran out a week ago, and I had to sell the cylinder to survive during exams.”
The note also revealed details about his upbringing, including being raised by a single mother.
“To others, I acted like nothing was wrong. Being raised by a single mother is the hardest thing for a male child. Sometimes, I had to do things I’m not proud of just to survive,” Ryan Kitari wrote on his Facebook.
“And I did all of this for what? For a female lecturer who has lots of complaints from students? I don’t know how she even got promoted.”
Ryan also accused a lecturer of deliberately failing him in an exam, which he felt was the final straw, leaving him without the means or will to repeat the course, pay rent, and continue his education.
“You gave me messy results in my first year, and now, even after HOD Linda acknowledged my TP participation (with whom I’ve been interacting throughout the semester because I adhered to the adjustments she instructed), this happens,” the student wrote.
He alleged that a lecturer, identified as Doreen Mwangi, had “jeopardized the only hope he had left,” referring to his efforts to finish the semester despite the overwhelming challenges he faced.
“I did everything to keep this semester going, even with the financial constraints, because I knew that in January, when I would be on TP, my parents, who have been reluctant to meet my needs, would have a financial break. That’s why I had to agree to cover the semester that was considered essential,” he wrote.
“That’s why I had to agree to cover the semester that was considered essential. Doreen Mwangi, you are the worst woman and lecturer I’ve ever encountered. As I told you, you are accountable for anything that happens to me.
He added, “I had control of it all, but you messed up my only hope. Thanks to you and screw you. If ghosts existed, you’d be the first person I’d visit.”
Recent weeks have seen several universities in the country, lose students to suicide.
University of Nairobi student, Frankline Ondari, who was reported missing was recently found dead.
The body of the 27 year old, was found in a toilet, along Kirinyaga Road, Nairobi.
Frankline Ondwari's decomposing body, was found hanging on the window of the toilet, where he lived with his friend, after he went missing, leaving his mobile phone charging.
A missing person's report had been filed at the police station, as a search was launched by family and friends.
Police said the deceased’s friend, who has been living with him at the apartment, smelt something foul coming from the toilet. Upon checking the source of the smell, he found the body hanging on a rope.
The students, stayed on the 20th floor of a residential house, along Kirinyaga Road.
Police said the motive of the incident is yet to be established and that a probe had been launched into the same.
Detectives, alleged the rise of suicide cases among university students, is alarming and the young adults should be sensitized on mental health.
