Homa Bay, Kenya — Residents of Magare village in Kanyabala location, Homa Bay Town, were left in shock after a 32-year-old man died by suicide near his father-in-law’s home following a domestic dispute with his wife.
The body of Eric Omondi Gogo, originally from North Sakwa village in Bondo sub-county, Siaya County, was discovered on Saturday, January 18, 2025. According to witnesses, the deceased had traveled from Nairobi to his in-laws’ home before the tragic incident. His sister-in-law found the body hanging from a tree near the homestead early that morning.
Peter Aluoch, the deceased’s father-in-law, revealed that his daughter had been married to Eric for eight years. However, their marriage had been marred by conflicts. The most recent dispute, which occurred on January 1, 2025, prompted Eric’s wife to leave their Nairobi home with their children and return to her family.
“My son-in-law had not visited my home since marrying my daughter. I had tried to counsel them in the past when I learned of their disagreements in 2022. I advised them to resolve their issues peacefully, but things seem to have escalated recently,” Peter Aluoch said.
On the fateful day, Eric reportedly arrived at the home unannounced. Aluoch recalled being informed early in the morning that Eric was near the transformer outside their homestead. However, shortly after, the family received devastating news that he had taken his own life.
“I tried reaching out to him in the past, but my calls were blocked. I even contacted his mother to understand what was going on, but she was also unaware of any issues. It pains me deeply that he chose this path instead of seeking a peaceful resolution,” Aluoch added.
Residents of Magare village expressed their sorrow and called for alternative ways of resolving family disputes. “This is a heartbreaking incident. Instead of ending his life, he should have sought help to address the problem,” one resident said.
Police arrived at the scene and transferred the body to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital Mortuary as investigations continue.
