Utalii College student found dead in suspected suicide

A first year student at the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi was on Friday found dead in one of the campus hostels after suspected suicide.

The body of the deceased who was aged 20 had been lying unnoticed for several days. 

His decomposing body was found hanging from a brown belt tied on a wardrobe hanger.The room where the body was found had been locked from inside forcing officials to break in. This followed complaints that there was a foul smell from the room on the third floor.

The discovery of the body sparked protests at the college as students alleged that their colleague was murdered.  The students marched out of the campus to demand justice. The demonstration spilled onto Thika Road, causing heavy traffic gridlock near the college as police were deployed to contain the situation. Police said they are investigating the incident.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and investigations.The student was pursuing a certificate course in front office management.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.But according to students, the deceased had recently been in an altercation with security guards at the institution’s main gate.A video of the scene is said to have been circulating in WhatsApp groups in the days leading up to the discovery of his body. The college administration said they had raised the issue with his family.