Kin of student who ‘recorded suicide’ say she died of illness

This week, social media was abuzz with news of a Meru National Polytechnic student who allegedly committed suicide after a misunderstanding with her boyfriend.

It was also reported that Fridah Makena even recorded her suicide as she swallowed some pills.

But in a turn of events, her family distanced itself from claims that the 19-year-old student committed suicide.

Earlier this week, a 26-seconds video of the young woman taking pills surfaced online and later went viral after it emerged that she had died.

SUICIDE VIDEO

According to her friends, the diploma student had shared the video and photos of the tablets on WhatsApp, claiming that her boyfriend had cheated on her and that she was fed up with life.

But during her burial, the story was different.

In a funeral account seen by Nation, the student is said to have died of diabetes which she had been battling since her high school days.

“The late Fridah enjoyed and lived a healthy life until she was diagnosed [with diabetes] while at Kaaga Girls. Fridah never failed to take her medication at the stipulated time. She portrayed great signs of improvement after receiving treatment at [Consolata Hospital Nkubu] and Kiirua Hospital. On February 25, she was taken ill and admitted [to Consolata Hospital Nkubu] where she underwent treatment…she was still receiving treatment when her condition worsened due to kidney and liver failure,” her family wrote.

DIFFERED WITH BOYFRIEND

A student from Meru National Polytechnic who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Fridah had differed with her boyfriend after she found out that he was cheating on her.

“Her classmates tried to convince her not to take her life but she was adamant. Some of her friends who went to check on her after she failed to attend an event they had planned found her unconscious in her room,” he said.

Fridah was taken to Consolata Hospital Nkubu where she died three days later.

SOLEMN FUNERAL

The student was buried Thursday in Kaunjugi village, Imenti South in a solemn funeral attended by tens of mourners.

Mourners eulogised her as sociable, dedicated Christian who loved to sing and dance, and was focused on her studies.

None of the mourners mentioned the widely circulated video but they expressed shock at the woman dying so young.

Kigarine Catholic Church Chairman Bernard Kinoti urged institutions of higher learning to hire professionals to guide students on the various challenges they face as youth, such as drugs and emerging non communicable diseases.

“I urge you to find a way of talking to the young people you receive so that they learn about the challenges they face. You need a special professional to address these challenges,” said Mr Kinoti.

SOCIABLE

Meru National Polytechnic Deputy Dean of Students Samuel Mwaniki and students’ Secretary-General Elvis Pampullah described Fridah as a sociable woman who engaged in dancing and other interactive activities.

“She exhibited special talents and even guided her colleagues in math. She also participated in singing,” said Mr Mwaniki.

Her mother was so overcome with emotions and did not even address the mourners.

Mr Kimathi Mwirichai, a family member, said they were heartbroken on learning of Fridah’s death at such a tender age.

“As you can see from her photos, she had an eventful life. We had high hopes on her and did not expect that she would die so young. The family is in pain and we would urge you to pray for us to be strong, especially the mother,” he appealed.

Additional reporting by Lylis Njeru