Mutomo town in Kitui County is mourning the sudden death of 48-year-old Willy Musango, who is believed to have taken his own life by swallowing a poisonous chemical.
The deceased was a bank teller.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on May 11.
Police officers responding to the scene confirmed that they found Musango’s lifeless body with foam coming from his mouth—one of the telltale signs of poisoning.
Next to his body lay an empty 250 ml bottle of Termitop 450 EC, a pesticide commonly used to control termites.
“We suspect he ingested the chemical intentionally,” said one officer.
“The bottle was completely empty, and there were no other signs of injury at the scene.”
Musango’s body was moved to Mutomo Level Four Hospital mortuary, where a postmortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
His family and neighbours are in shock. Many described him as a calm and hardworking man who mostly kept to himself.
“This is too painful,” said one relative.
“He never told anyone if he was going through something. Now we’re left with questions we may never answer.”
Police have launched investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the community is reflecting on the growing mental health crisis that continues to affect people silently.
A local elder urged families and friends to stay connected and support one another.
“Sometimes, people are smiling on the outside but hurting deeply on the inside. Let’s learn to check in with our loved ones more often,” he said.
The incident has sparked conversations in Mutomo about the need for better access to mental health support services, especially in rural areas.
As preparations for Musango’s burial begin, the grief in the community is heavy.
By Star