A middle-aged man from Homa Bay County allegedly took his own life on Easter Monday after his wife reportedly refused to answer his phone calls.
31-year-old Erick Ooko, a bodaboda rider from Kawuor Location in Rachuonyo East Sub-County, ingested an insecticide known as Triatix. Triatix is used to control and kill ticks and lice on cattle.
The apparent suicide happened at his Kadie Village home in Kawuor Location on Monday night. The deceased’s wife had left their matrimonial home following a domestic row last week.
Confirming the incident, Kawuor Location chief Mr Samuel Oloko said Ooko ingested two bottles of Triatix after his wife failed to answer his phone calls Monday evening.
According to the administrator, Ooko’s wife had earlier agreed to return home on Wednesday, April 24, but when Ooko called to follow up, his wife allegedly refused to answer.
Oloko said Ooko went to his parents’ home on Monday evening and told his father that he was going to a nearby trading centre to send bus-fare to his wife.
However, the deceased proceeded to his house, where he locked the door and consumed the insecticide, killing him on the spot, chief Oloko said.
Ooko did not leave behind a suicide note but his wife’s passport size picture was found in his pocket.
His body was transferred to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital mortuary.
