Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has shared a message of condolence and support to MP David Sankok and his family following the death of his teenage son on Monday, May 2.
It is reported that Memusi Sankok, 15, allegedly shot himself on the chin at their home in Ewaso Nyiro trading centre, killing himself on the spot.
PHOTO/Courtesy
The firstborn in a family of five who was to join Form Four at Kericho High School was reportedly alone in the house when the incident happened.
Through his social media handles, Raila prayed for the fortitude of Sankok's entire family at this time.
"Hon. David Sankok, it is painful to experience losing a child, and even more so, difficult having to bury one; we stand with you during this difficult time. Please accept condolences from Mama Ida and I. May God grant your entire family fortitude. We are praying for you," the tweet read.
Reports of the demise of the teenage son of the MP were confirmed yesterday by Narok County Criminal Investigations Officer Mwenda Ethaiba.
Ethaiba said initial reports indicated that the Form Three student at Kericho High School accessed Sankok’s gun from a safe in their house and shot himself after his father questioned him on why he had not reported to school even after he gave him money for shopping and fare last week.
“What we have established on the ground is that last week, the MP provided cash for his son to go back to school in Kericho while he was out of the country on official duties, but when he came back he found him at home and questioned him why,” Ethaiba said.
After the questioning, the MP allegedly left the house to run some errands in his Osim Country Lodge just next to his residence. It is at this point that the deceased is said to have accessed the gun and shot himself.
“DCI officers are at the scene collecting forensic evidence to start investigations. The father was not at home when the boy shot himself and it is not clear how he accessed the firearm that should have been properly secured,” he added.
Alarming increase in suicide cases
The incident comes amid a growing alarm in the country over a shocking rise in the number of suicides in the country.
Reports show that between April and June last year, for instance, over 500 people were reported to have killed themselves, more than the whole of 2020.
The youngest person to take their life was nine years old; the oldest was 76.
