Suicide bid schoolgirls out of danger, ready to be discharged
What you need to know:
The three, all in Form Four, were sent home by their principal, Mr Nickson Owino, after they were found with a mobile phone.
The students told the Nation that before taking the poisonous chemical, they wrote suicide notes addressed to their parents.
Nyamira County Referral Hospital authorities said the Tabaka Secondary School students might be discharged soon.
Nursing officer Caren Ateka said a psychiatrist had been assigned to the girls to take them through intensive counselling.
Three secondary school students in Kisii County who attempted suicide by drinking battery acid are responding well to treatment, hospital officials have said.
The Nyamira County Referral Hospital authorities said the Tabaka Secondary School students might be discharged soon.
Nursing officer Caren Ateka said a psychiatrist had been assigned to the girls to take them through intensive counselling.
“The students’ parents will also be advised on how to handle them to overcome the trauma they underwent,” she said.
“We will ask the parents to let a pastor talk to the girls on the value of life and tell them that all is not lost.”
The three, all in Form Four, were sent home by their principal, Mr Nickson Owino, after they were found with a mobile phone.
BOTTLE OF BATTERY ACID
The students were unhappy at being suspended and travelled to Kisii town, bought a bottle of battery acid, then went to Nyamira town, where they were intent on ending their lives.
The students told the Nation that before taking the poisonous chemical, they wrote suicide notes addressed to their parents.
Witnesses said the students were found writhing in pain at the Nyabite open air market by boda boda riders, who took them to hospital.
Two suicide notes were found in their bags. The girls had also written the telephone numbers of their mothers in the notes.
“I no longer need to live because I have been a burden to all of you. I have chosen to commit suicide because I don’t have to carry you along. The reason being a suspension that I never expected in my life,” says one of the notes.
I loved you, Mum
It further says: “Mum, I know how much you must be heartbroken but try to take it positively. I loved you and wanted to see you happy afterwards but this could not happen. You had hopes in me but I am sorry I couldn’t make it in life.”
The girls said they had chosen to die in Nyamira town because no one would recognise them. Yesterday, their parents and the principal visited them in hospital and gave them hope that they have another chance to live.
The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Cyrus Ayunga, said the students, who were admitted while unconscious, had stabilised and were out of danger.
