A KCPE candidate has committed suicide in Homa Bay town on grounds he was defeated in an examination test with one mark.
Clinton Ojunga of Olodo primary school took his life using a sisal rope in the school compound on Saturday.
He scored 372 marks while the winner got 373 in an internal examination set after schools reopened for the current second term.
The outcome disillusioned the 15-year-old boy before he took away his life.
Head teacher Elisha Nyandege told journalists on Monday that he was informed of the incident by the school watchman.
“The boy wrote on a classroom blackboard that he was disappointed with his performance,” the teacher said.
The pupil wrote: “Congratulations to all my teachers, who have been teaching me since I joined this school.”
“It is not my fault to bid you goodbye but because of unavoidable circumstances, it is forcing me to do so.”
“It is useless to live without peace according to my gradual poor performance. To all candidates, best wishes in your exams. We shall meet again,” he said in his suicide note.
Nyandege said the boy had maintained position one in all exams since he joined the school from Midida Primary school in Migori county.
It is at the Migori school that he was enrolled for KCPE.
“Some children reported to his caretakers that his academic performance was declining when they saw him become number two,” Nyandege said.
The head teacher added the boy’s problems might have emanated from his home in Migori county.
“The boy used to live with his aunt in this village. I have been told that he recently sent an SMS telling his father to stop listening to hearsays,” the teacher said.
He did not explain what the boy meant with the reference “hearsay”.
Homa Bay OCPD Esau Ochorokodi said they are investigating the incident.
“The aim is to establish the circumstances which led to the boy’s death.”
The body is at the Homa Bay county referral hospital mortuary. -The Star