University of Nairobi Medical Student Dies by Suicide After Posting Cryptic Message that led to His Body

Kenyan Medical Student's body was recovered from the swimming pool after apparent suicide

Dennis Kamunya, a third-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Nairobi, was found dead on Tuesday morning after he drowned himself in a swimming pool located within the university compound. His death has left the medical student community in shock and grief.

Prior to taking his own life, Kamunya posted a message on his WhatsApp status, indicating where his body could be found. The message read: “At the bottom of the swimming pool. Apologies for any resulting inconvenience.” The student also shared distressing posts on his X (formerly Twitter) account, expressing struggles with depression and drug addiction.

A cryptic note posted on X by the late student before he committed suicide. The note led to the discovery of his body

The Association of Medical Students at the University of Nairobi (AMSUN) confirmed the tragic news and described Kamunya as a bright and promising student who was highly regarded within the academic and medical community. His sudden passing has sparked conversations about mental health challenges among university students, particularly those in high-pressure fields such as medicine.

A press release to the students from the school authorities

In response to the incident, AMSUN issued a call to action, urging students who may be dealing with mental health struggles to seek help rather than suffer in silence. They emphasized the importance of supporting one another and fostering a safe environment for discussing psychological distress.

This incident underscores the urgent need for increased mental health awareness, support systems, and counseling services for students in academic institutions across the country.