Written by Eric Lumbasi 2012-09-14 11:39:00 Read 860 Times

Kimilili, Bungoma County: A middle aged man working with St. Lukes Kimilili boys’ high school in Kimilili who had been reported to have died after falling into a pit latrine within the school was found to be alive.

It took efforts of the Police from the Kimilili Police Station, school workers and residents to pull off the roof of the ill fated latrine and finally rescue the man identified as Jafred Burudi, 42, from the latrine which fortunately was only three meters deep. He was taken to Kimilili sub district hospital and is said to be recuperating.

The 42 year old Jafred Burudi being tasken to the hospital after he was rescued from St Lukes High School pit latrine. An incident that was alleged to be a suicide attempt. [PHOTO | Eric Lumbasi | West Fm]

According to the school Principal Patrick Wandili, the storekeeper had reported to work the previous day as usual and went about with his duties in a jovial mood but it was discovered that he didn’t return home something that raised an alarm.

He added that until morning everything was normal in the school but after leaving to take breakfast in his house, he was called by the deputy principal who informed him that the storekeeper had been seen inside the latrine.

“I convened an urgent meeting with the non- teaching staff to establish what had transpired during the previous day since I didn’t talk to him personally that day. They said he was on duty as usual very cheerful and did not at one time suspect that he had intentions of ending his life in such a cruel manner,” said Mr. Wandili.

He disclosed that it may have been as a result of family issues as its alleged that his younger brother had been interdicted from the teacher profession after he impregnated a pastors daughter and had taken a loan with a certain bank who were after their land for failing to repay the loan on time.

“The workers also had noted that he used to have very long conversations on his mobile phone with the agenda unknown which seems he may be have been under some pressure from somewhere” added Mr. Wandili.

However, the principal reiterated that they have all along have a cordial relationship with the storekeeper who was very hard working and sometimes used to work extra hours at his own pleasure and had never shown any reason to be stressed up.

On his part Jafred’s father Jacob Wekesa said he had raised his son with good morals and was a staunch Christian with a wife and four children.

He disclosed that about a week ago his son had been robbed off five sacks of maize but the thief was later known and sentenced for six months in prison an issue he connects with his attempt suicide since he had expected the thief to be sentenced for a longer term.

Meanwhile, the St Lukes community is praying for the man to be well again so as to clear the air on exactly what led to his attempt suicide.

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