West Mugirango Member of Parliament, Stephen Mogaka, has committed to drafting a motion that would mandate the introduction of counseling lessons in schools, following the devastating loss of a Form Four student at Sironga Girls’ High School, Nyamira County in Kenya.
The student’s tragic death has highlighted the increasing urgency of addressing mental health issues among Kenya’s youth.
Speaking on Saturday, September 28, Mogaka expressed concern over the growing mental health crisis in the country, describing it as a significant and overlooked contributor to student suicides.
He emphasized the need for preventive measures, including embedding counseling within the school curriculum to support young people.
“Mental health has become a leading killer disease, and through Parliament, I will ensure that I draft a motion for counselling lessons to be included in the curriculum to reduce the suicide cases among the youth,” Mogaka declared.
The incident at Sironga Girls’ High School involved a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidate who tragically jumped from the second floor of a dormitory early that Saturday morning.
According to the school principal, Jane Nyanumba, the student took her life around 5 a.m. while her peers were preparing for the day.
“At 5 a.m., when the rest of the girls were going to take a shower, she decided to jump from the second floor of the hostel. She fell down and hit her head, and we took her to Nyamira Level Five Hospital where she was confirmed dead on arrival,” Nyanumba explained to the media.
Nyamira South Deputy County Commissioner, Florence Obunga, confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. She added that the girl was known to be reclusive and had not left a suicide note.
“She sustained injuries at the back of her head. We are told that she used to keep to herself. We have been able to peruse through her books, and we have not been able to get any note left behind,” Obunga stated.
The tragic event has sparked renewed calls for better mental health support in schools, as Mogaka’s proposed motion gains momentum in addressing these growing concerns.
