College student kills self after sister ‘asks him to stop smoking bhang, drinking alcohol’

By Benjamin Wakoli in Busia County

A 23-year-old man from Nambale in Busia County on Thursday evening (July 16) died after jumping into a swollen river following a disagreement with his elder sister.

Bernard Otieno, a Second Year student at Bushiangala Technical Training Institute in Kakamega County, received a phone call from his elder sibling, who reprimanded him for his penchant for bhang smoking and binge drinking.

Nambale OCPD Rolex Nyoka said shortly after talking to his sister on phone, Otieno left for River Walatsi, where he threw himself into and died.

“The deceased’s elder sibling had reprimanded him for his habit of smoking bhang and excessive drinking of alcohol. It appears Otieno was angered by his sister’s scolding, pushing him to commit suicide by drowning,” Nyoka told K24 Digital.

“I urge parents to closely monitor their children during this period when the kids are at home after schools were closed due to coronavirus crisis. The guardians should also find tactful ways of advising the children,” added Nyoka.

Otieno’s body is yet to be retrieved from the river, police said.

The deceased’s relatives say, according to the Marachi culture, some of them (family members) will have to camp on the riverbed until Otieno’s body is found.