Sombre moods engulfed Kaboson Girls Secondary School in Chepalungu, Bomet County, after a Form Four student was found dead by suicide within the school compound. The 17-year-old’s body was discovered early Friday morning inside the school’s store, sending shockwaves among students, teachers, and parents.
According to preliminary police reports, the girl had earlier confided in a close friend that she was having disagreements with her parents over her academic performance. She reportedly expressed frustration and emotional distress over the matter, saying she felt she had disappointed her family. The friend revealed that the student left behind a note addressed to her classmate in Form Four Central before taking her own life.
Teachers immediately alerted the authorities after discovering the tragedy. Police later arrived at the scene and moved the body to Longisa County Referral Hospital mortuary for further examination. The incident has reignited discussions around the mental health of students and the pressures they face from parents and schools, especially as the national examinations approach.
Some parents have voiced concern about the increasing cases of emotional distress among learners resulting from academic expectations. They emphasized the need for parents to adopt supportive approaches rather than exerting pressure on their children. One parent urged others to recognize that every child has different abilities and should not be compared or punished for underperformance.
The tragedy adds to a worrying trend of suicides in Kenya linked to family and academic pressures. Data shows that an average of four people die by suicide in the country each day, with many cases involving young people. Mental health experts have repeatedly called for better support systems in schools, including counseling services and open communication between parents, teachers, and students.
Globally, suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people. Studies indicate that for every suicide, there are more than 20 attempts, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and prevention programs. While men are statistically more likely to die by suicide, the issue affects both genders and continues to devastate families and communities.
The incident in Bomet serves as a grim reminder of the emotional toll that academic and parental expectations can have on students. Authorities and mental health advocates continue to urge parents, teachers, and peers to be more observant of behavioral changes and signs of distress among young people to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
