A university student in Nairobi, named Benedict Mberesero, tragically took his own life by jumping from an 11-story building yesterday.
The body of the 21-year-old was discovered near the hostel gate at approximately 4:30 am. Initial investigations by local authorities have led to the conclusion that the death of the second-year student is being treated as a suicide, as evidenced by the identification of four suicide notes addressed to himself and family members. CCTV footage captured Mberesero, a Tanzanian national majoring in Arts, Culture, and Film, walking from his room on the seventh floor to the 11th floor around 3 am.
His remains were found by security personnel later that morning. According to detectives from the Kasarani Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mberesero suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull and broken limbs. DCI Kasarani head Justus Ombati confirms that a five-page note, believed to be a suicide letter, was retrieved from the scene, stating, “The CCTV footage and the notes recovered leave no doubt as to the cause of death.”
Additionally, police have obtained a statement from a female student who interacted with Mberesero shortly before his death. Sources involved in the investigation noted that Mberesero had exhibited signs of distress in the week leading up to the incident. Though previously known for his cheerful demeanour, he had recently become increasingly isolated, preferring to stay in his dormitory and participating less in academic activities.
The contents of the suicide notes reveal Mberesero’s deep emotional pain, as he attributed his distress to family dynamics, particularly the impact of his parents’ separation and his father’s perceived harshness. In his letter to his mother, Mberesero expressed anguish over his family situation and extended apologies for the struggles that he felt unable to share with his siblings.
His final note addressed to himself acknowledged the societal judgment he feared while bearing a semblance of hope that he might avoid eternal damnation. The police also recovered Mberesero’s personal belongings including his mobile phone, shoes, and access cards from the rooftop of the residence hall.
