Over my dead body: Woman kills self after realising hubby's plan to get second wife

Officers from Rongo Police Station collect the body of a 38-year-old woman who committed suicide at their Rongo home in Migori county on December 3, 2020. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

A 38-year-old woman has committed suicide in Migori after learning that her husband had a secret lover he was planning to marry.  

According to police reports, the body of Pamela Atieno was found dangling from the roof of her house on Friday morning at their rural home in Kameji sub-location, Rongo sub-county.

Chief John Agoro who reported the incident to Rongo Police Station said that Atieno took her life after she learnt that her husband was planning to marry a second wife.

"The deceased reportedly differed with her husband after she learned that he had another lover and was planning to marry her as a second wife," said Agoro.

Atieno is reported to have left a suicide note to her husband before taking her life.

"I have decided to die because of your secret plan to (marry) another wife," the suicide note read in part.

Never differed

Michael Ondito, the woman's husband, however, denied arguing with Atieno, adding that he had gone to the farm only to come and find his wife had killed herself.   

“I was called when I was at the farm in the morning but upon reaching home I found the body of my wife hanging on a rope on our doorstep, I was surprised because we had not quarrelled or fought,” said Onditi.

Chief Agoro, however, condemned the action saying people should find other ways of solving family differences.

“Domestic problems should not lead to people killing themselves. We are supposed to look for guidance and counselling experts,” the administrator said.

Rongo police boss Peter Okiring while confirming the incident said police received the information and went there to collect the body which was transferred to Rosewood Hospital's morgue.

“We have launched our investigation into the matter but we are yet to confirm the reason why the deceased committed suicide,” said Okiring.