KENYA : In a Worrying trend of Love-turned-sour College and Campus Relationships in the Country, another young University student decided to end her life on Friday, February 8, 2025.
A Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) student died on the spot last night, after throwing herself from the third floor of the building in which she lived with her boyfriend.
Neighbours were woken up by screams from the boyfriend and a loud thud when the girl fell. They rushed outside only to find the deceased’s body sprawled on the ground floor.
According to a Witness who spoke to JULISHA.CO.KE, they found her body with multiple fractures. Efforts to save her life were futile. The two were arguing about a third person in the relationship (love triangle).
The details of their argument before the girl jumped to her death are still scanty but it was about a love affair. One of them was cheating, leading to the argument and the eventual death of the girl.
However, Reports indicate that the young Girl, found a Text Message "Kujia vitu Babe" in her boyfriend's phone, which led to an argument, forcing the girl to undertake the Extreme Measure, which ended tragically.
Police are currently investigating the matter.
This recent incident, highlights the worrying trend in Kenyan Higher Learning Instutions, where several relationships have ended tragically.
In another case, a second year student at Chuka University committed suicide over a love affair.
The Computer Science student, who hang himself from his rental Apartment's roof, left a six-page suicide note that pointed to a relationship gone sour.
“There is this one time I caught Njeri with a man inside her room and when I tried to ask her about it she told me she had moved on and I could go ahead and hang myself if I wished to ,” the note read in Part.
The blood-stained note revealed that this was not his first suicide attempt.
“The blood is necessary for my spirit to come back….not sure but probably. Pleaase Stella must see these letters..Please, till we meet again my love,” the letter added.
Samantha Nyawira, a tourism third-year student at Murang'a University, was discovered hanging in her rented house on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
According to the deceased’s friend, she had an argument with her boyfriend, which resulted in a breakup.
Ryan, a 21-year-old Zetech University student, was found dead in December last year, after he took his own life by hanging from an apartment wall.
A few hours earlier, he had posted a heartfelt and disturbing suicide note on his Facebook page, where he detailed his struggles with financial hardship, academic pressure, and personal trauma.
Ryan revealed he had been faking a prosperous life while grappling with unpaid rent, lack of food, and having to sell his household items to survive. He accused one of his lecturers of frustrating him.
AD.
In a different incident, The body of Collins Kiprop Kosgei, a fifth-year medical student at the University of Nairobi, was found at the main hall residence after he took his life on Monday, September 2, 2024.
May 6, 2019, A Kenya Methodist University (KEMU) Meru campus student killed by her boyfriend who after killing her committed suicide at her rental house.
May 7, 2019, Fridah Makena, a student at the Meru National Polytechnic committed suicide after discovering that her boyfriend "Kelvoh", a student at the Co-operative University was cheating on her.
She left behind a note saying "I can't live without him".
Recent incidents last year involved student's from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, Moi University, Kenyatta University, Laikipia University, Kisii University, Chuka University, Meru University, University Of Embu and Technical University Of Mombasa.
Mental health education in schools in the Country is key to addressing these alarming trends.
When mental health is left unaddressed and unchecked, a student can easily fall victim to a fear of failure, lack of confidence, social anxiety, and other challenges to their mental well-being which coupled by relationship fall-out can act as a trigger.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, among people between the ages of 10 and 34, suicide is the second-leading cause of death.
Conversations around mental health are becoming more common, but the stigma surrounding it is still present. When people don’t talk about their struggles, feelings of shame can arise.
We need to take action now. The mental health epidemic in schools is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention. All over the world, students are facing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Factors such as academic pressure, social media influence, family dynamics, societal expectations, and so much more are contributing to the growing prevalence of mental health issues among students.
Left unaddressed, these challenges can have profound and long-lasting effects on students’ well-being, academic performance and overall quality of life.
Promoting and teaching mental health in schools is paramount for cultivating an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Leaders, Teachers and Lecturers play a crucial role in nurturing the mental well-being of students and Teenagers by fostering a supportive and inclusive culture, providing access to counseling services, and integrating mental health education, like a Common Unit, especially in Universities and Colleges in Kenya
