30-year-old man kills himself for failing to raise Ksh13,000 loan payment

A 30-year-old man from Navakholo in Kakamega County committed suicide on Saturday (October 17) over financial stress, his family claims.

Solomon Ayindi Kataka’s body was found hanging from a rope tied to the roof of his house in Eshambitsi Village.

The deceased’s family told K24 Digital that Kataka, a bicycle repairer, had recently borrowed Ksh13,000 from a local microfinance bank, and the lender was on his case to settle the loan.

The deceased’s mother, Alice Omwenje Kataka, said her son had paid a part of the loan, and that he was being harassed by the microfinance bank to offset the balance.

“My son had hit rock bottom financially, and the lender was pestering him to clear his loan. Out of frustration, I suspect, he decided to end his own life,” said Alice.

Solomon’s uncle, Japheth Kataka Makokha, said the deceased’s house will be brought down in compliance with Luhya traditions, which demand that a suicide victim’s structure in the homestead be demolished.

“Persons who kill themselves should not even be taken to the mortuary; they should be buried immediately at a spot near the suicide scene,” said Makokha.

Solomon’s body was taken to Kakamega County Referral Hospital morgue.

The deceased is survived by a wife and a child.