Shock and grief have engulfed Lukhuna Village in Mbagara Sub-location, Mautuma Ward, Lugari Constituency, after a 34-year-old man died by suicide inside a neighbour’s house.
The deceased, identified as Ezekiel Masoni, is said to have used a binding wire to take his own life in an incident that has left residents reeling.
According to the homeowner, Enock Mwanje Munialo, the discovery was made on the afternoon of the incident at around 1:00 p.m. Munialo said he had stepped out to tie his goats before engaging his brother in conversation. He later decided to check on his house, only to find it locked from the inside.
Suspicious, he moved to a window to look inside and noticed someone. Initially suspecting a break-in, he asked a nearby child to confirm the identity of the person. It was then that they realized it was someone known to them who had already hanged himself.
Family members revealed that Masoni had recently been involved in a domestic assault case in which he allegedly broke his sister-in-law’s arm. The victim is currently receiving treatment in hospital, and the matter was still pending in court at the time of his death.
His father, David Okello Masoni, described him as a troubled individual with a history of misconduct. He disclosed that he had previously paid a KSh 30,000 fine on his son’s behalf following a fight last year, adding that Masoni had also served a three-year jail term in the past.
The incident has also raised cultural concerns within the community. Under Luhya traditions, when a person dies by suicide in another person’s house, the structure is typically demolished, with the deceased’s family expected to bear the associated costs.
Police officers from Lumakanda Police Station responded to the scene and transferred the body to Musembe Mortuary in Lugari Sub-county as investigations continue. Authorities say the exact cause of the suicide has not yet been established.
Residents have called for increased mental health awareness and support to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
