Kilifi, KENYA: Residents of Mkongani, Matsangoni in the outskirts of Kilifi County were left in shock after a 63 years old man on Friday night dug his grave and later climbed the tallest cashew nut tree and hanged himself.
According to a neighbor, Baraka Sheban, Mzee Mwokoli Kahindi Baya spent some time with him in the afternoon of the momentous night.
He said he went to his house to sell him mangoes and went back home but he was astonished to see him back later on carrying palm wine (Mnazi).
“He drunk profusely while talking about his death and calling for bodaboda operators to come kill him in my house,” said Sheban.
“After going away from my house he went to another neighbor, wished him well and informed him that he should visit his family which will be bereaved the following day,”Shebani added.
Mkongani Assistant Chief Albert Menza said the deceased had planned for his death following the actions and activities he did before committing suicide.
The local administrator said he met the deceased in the afternoon and he was drunk.
“He spent the whole day imbibing Mnazi and even by the time I met him at 3.00 pm on Friday he was drunk and I got the message of him committing suicide at 10.00 pm,” said Menza.
“He had dug a grave at a place he had identified outside his compound, and then broke some bottles and put them on a winnowing tray and started singing and dancing ‘Kifudu’, a traditional dance mainly for mourning,” he added.
Menza said the deceased also tore all his documents, ID, land documents, school fees receipts and dumped them in the grave.
Kilifi OCPD Alexander Makau confirmed the incidents and said police are investigating the incident.
The body of the deceased was taken to the Kilifi County hospital mortuary.
