The Director of Studies (DOS) and teacher at Chwele Girls High School in Bungoma County has committed suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming vehicle.
The school administration confirmed the incident detailing that the incident occurred at around 9:00 am outside the school gate.
At the same time, the deceased, Cornelius Masika, was also a teacher of mathematics and chemistry. According to an inside source who spoke to The Kenya Times, the teacher had debts owed to multiple lending institutions.
Subsequently, the principal summoned him to his office following the debtors’ request. However, after the meeting with the principal, the teacher left the office and threw himself in front of a speeding matatu.
Chwele Girls Secondary School is a Girls’ only boarding school, located in Namwela location, Bungoma County, within the Western Region of Kenya.
Condolence Messages About the Teacher
Saddened by the news, several teachers online sent their messages of condolences, eulogizing the teacher as a joyful and vibrant colleague.
Others were in disbelief of the sudden demise of the Director of Studies (DOS) remembering him for his immense help and the impact he had on his students.
A user with the name ‘Siamba wa Mikuva’ said that the teacher had interviewed his daughter when she was transferred to the institution about a week prior to the incident.
“Is this true? I was with him like a week ago!! He’s the one that interviewed my daughter when I transferred her to the school,” the user said.
He also remembered him for his famous classroom saying, ‘Can u deny.’
“UoN class of 2014 is mourning. Cornelius Masika has left us,” Augustine Mwalimu indicated.
“Condolences to the entire fraternity of Chwele girls and their family,” user Cynthia Bishy added.
Cornelius Masika was officially employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in 2020.
Statistics on Suicide Cases in Kenya
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 700,000 people die by suicide every year making it the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 years.
In addition, WHO ranked suicide among the top ten leading causes of death across all age groups.
In Kenya, at least four people die by suicide each day, with an average of 20 times as many attempting suicide.
However, these figures are likely to be conservative due to the taboo nature of suicide and its legal ramifications, which discourage open discussion.
Earlier on March 5, medical experts from Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital asked the Members of Parliament (MPs) to repeal Section 226 of Kenya’s Penal Code, which imposes criminal liability on individuals who attempt suicide.
The doctors argued that individuals engaging in such acts were often grappling with mental illness and therefore required medical intervention.
Section 226 of Kenya’s penal code stipulates that any person attempting to take their own life is guilty of a misdemeanor.
In May 2022, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) was put on the spot over the increase in mental health issues among teachers across the country.
At the time, KNUT blamed the spike in suicide cases among teachers on the stagnant teacher’s wages which it noted had not been adjusted despite an increase in the cost of living.
Additionally, in June 2022, the Kenya Women Teachers Association CEO Benta Opande called for an intentional intervention on the welfare of teachers.
“There is a real problem with teachers mental health. A lot of teachers are depressed, even the heads of institutions are under a lot of pressure,” she said then.
