A Kenyan secondary school student who happened to be a form four student of Sironga Girls’ High School in Nyamira County in Kenya, has died.
The young girl reportedly committed suicide after jumping from the second floor of the school’s administration block.
The student, Mitchelle Cheptoo, was among those preparing to sit their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in October.
The incident occurred around 5 am on Saturday.
School Principal Jane Nyanumba said the KCSE candidate jumped from the building while her colleagues were preparing to begin the day, NTV reports.
“The girls were preparing to start the day when the student jumped from the building. She was injured and we rushed her to Nyamira County Referral Hospital where she was pronounced dead,” said Nyanumba.
The principal said Mitchelle had shown no signs of distress.
“She was okay and even slept well. We are shocked. The incident is very disturbing to the entire school,” said Ms Nyanumba, noting that the student was often quiet.
Nyamira South Deputy County Commissioner Florence Obunga said, “We were told that the girl had tried to commit suicide and had been taken to the hospital. We went there with the sub county security team. She had sustained injuries to the head.”
“We later went to the school and broke the news of her demise to the rest of the girls. They are very devastated,” she added.
Ms Obunga said even though the school has a “strong counselling department,” Mitchelle did not share her struggles with anyone before jumping to her death.
“She used to keep to herself,” she added.
West Mugirango MP Steve M. Mogaka on Saturday said he received with “shock and disbelief the devastating news of the sudden death of Mitchelle Cheptoo that occurred this morning within the school precincts”.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, the lawmaker said, “Reports indicate that the KCSE candidate jumped from the second floor of her hostel at around 5.00am as other girls prepared for morning devotion.
“The motive of the scary action taken by Cheptoo is yet to be established.
“I would like to urge the investigating agencies to establish the cause so as more incidents can be averted in the future.
“Mental health has become a leading killer disease and through Parliament, I will ensure that I draft a motion for counseling lessons to be included in the curriculum to reduce the suicide cases among the youth.”
“I stand with angel Cheptoo’s family and the Sironga Girls National School fraternity during this trying moment,” he added.
