Latifa Wangari’s death in Githurai is a tragic mark in a growing trend of young people in Kenya dying by suicide amid mental health and economic pressures.
A 22-year-old university student was found dead in a house in Githurai, Nairobi, on November 21, prompting alarm as her death is being treated as a suspected suicide. The woman, identified as Latifa Wangari, a third-year student at Kenyatta University, had not been seen by neighbors since November 11, sparking concern when a foul odor alerted them days later.
Police broke into the home and discovered Wangari’s body hanging from a window grill, with a scarf tied around her neck. A note believed to be hers was also recovered. The preliminary lines read: “I’m sorry… and I love you guys,” although investigators are still working to verify its authenticity.
The tragedy has put a spotlight on a bigger, more troubling reality in Kenya: the rising rate of suicide among young people. Mental health experts say that economic stress, academic pressure, and social stigma are contributing to a wave of self-harm and fatal outcomes among the youth.
The country’s Suicide Prevention Strategy (2021–2026) sets out how common mental conditions, including depression and anxiety, are linked to suicidal behavior. According to this plan, about 10.3 percent of people using health facilities report symptoms of mental illness, but many cases go undiagnosed.
Meanwhile, four out of every five Kenyans cited in clinical studies do not receive mental illness screening at primary healthcare facilities.
Statistics show the problem is especially acute among adolescents. A recent review found that 13 percent of young Kenyans experience anxiety or depression, and 4 percent report suicidal thoughts. Unemployment and financial stress weigh heavily on this group, further driving the crisis.
In a breakthrough earlier this year, Kenya’s High Court struck down the law that criminalized attempted suicide, declaring it unconstitutional. This landmark ruling, combined with the national mental health strategy, signals a shift in how authorities view and treat suicide, from a crime to a pressing health concern.
Wangari’s disappearance and death hit especially hard in a society where stigma around mental health often prevents open discussion. Many young people in Kenya are believed to suffer in silence, and authorities say most lack access to affordable care. Nearly 75 percent of Kenyans have limited access to mental health services, according to government data.
There is growing urgency for interventions, including better schooling environments, more affordable therapy, and community support. Experts argue that without these, Kenya risks losing more young lives.
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