17-Year-Old Siaya Orphan Commits Suicide Due to Hardship

By Shadrack Nyakoe

A 17-year-old student from Siaya Township Secondary School tragically took his own life at his grandmother’s home in Siaya County, Bridge area on Monday.

The teenager had been fending for his 12-year-old brother, a pupil at Karapul Primary School, after the death of their parents a few years ago.

According to neighbors, the boys were under the guardianship of their helpless and very elderly grandmother.

The 17-year-old had taken on the responsibility of providing for both himself and his younger brother.

To make ends meet, he had been collecting plastic bottles and scrap metal to cover their basic needs, including food, school supplies, and clothing.

Despite his efforts, the young boy is believed to have struggled under the weight of these responsibilities.

The pressures of daily life and the burden of caring for his younger brother without adequate support seem to have taken a toll on him.

It is suspected that, overwhelmed by these challenges, the boy hanged himself on Monday.

The tragic incident has left the community in shock, with many expressing sorrow over the dire circumstances that led to the young boy’s untimely death.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the matter to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case.

This heartbreaking situation highlights the difficulties faced by orphaned children who are forced to shoulder adult responsibilities at a young age, often with little to no support from the community or government.

The family, along with local leaders, is urging for greater awareness and assistance for vulnerable children in similar situations.