Narok businessman hangs himself after losing Sh9,000 in a bet

 Shocked Narok town residents looking on as a police vehicle picks up the body of a local businessman identified as Joseph Kariuki aka Scorpion who hanged himself   Photo: Robert Kiplagat

A businessman in Narok town committed suicide after he lost Sh9,000 in a bet.

Friends who spoke to journalists at the trader's premises said Joseph Kariuki alias Scorpion was frustrated by the loss.

"We heard he had placed a Sh9,000 bet yesterday (Tuesday) evening but he lost. This frustrated him. He felt dejected and hanged himself using a rope," said John Odhiambo.

John Onyiso, a caretaker at the premises, said he called out the businessman to open the door but received no response. He peeped through a crack to see if he was around, and saw his body dangling from a rope. He then alerted the public about the incident.

He said he was not sure about what pushed the businessman to kill himself.

He, however, noted that betting could not be ruled out since Kariuki had been complaining that his clothing business was doing badly.

"He was among the businessmen who incurred heavy losses in the April 2015 Narok town flash floods that killed 11 people and swept property worth millions of shillings. He was yet to recover," said a source.

Hellen Wangare, a neighbour, said it was not the first time Scorpion had attempted to commit suicide. She said sometimes back, he took poison but survived.

Those who knew him described the father of two as an ambitious and hardworking businessman.

Area OCPD Philip Kipkurui said police were on the case. The body was moved to Narok hospital mortuary.