Kakamega family ‘thoroughly canes’ body of son who threw self into well after wife gave birth

By Carolyn Necheza.

A 35-year-old jobless man from Kakoyi Village in Malava, Kakamega County fatally plunged himself into a 50-foot well after his wife gave birth.

The mother of the deceased, Ruth Mbone, says her son committed suicide over his inability to provide for his wife and the newborn.

Chesero Location chief, Ezekiel Shitanda, confirmed the incident, urging young couples to embrace harmless ways of addressing socio-economic challenges they are facing.

Upon being removed from the well, the deceased was thoroughly caned, according to the Luhya custom, which advocates for such an action on people who commit suicide.

The deceased’s family says the caning would help “rid them off curses”.

The culture also stipulates that the deceased be buried at night and behind a homestead.