A mother’s preference of one of her children to accompany her to the market in Kisumu ended tragically after the one left behind opted to commit suicide as a birthday ‘gift’ to her.
This theory was yet to be authenticated but has already flooded the social media platforms alleging that the mother, Grace Atieno has never been happy since she gave birth to the 11-year old boy Alphonse Owino on claims that he has been the source of her ‘misfortunes’.
According to the posting, the grade 3 pupil at Kudho Primary School in Kisumu West reportedly wrote that “on this special day I want you to be the happiest mother ever”.
He added that “every day you used to say that happiness left your life the day I was born. You told me dad also left because of me. So today, I want to change things. I want you to be very happy and live as if I never existed”.
“You told me that you would never look at me with love but I always admired you as the best mom on earth. I hope one day you will think of me. I hope in heaven you will finally hold me and kiss me. The best gift I could have given you is leaving your life as you have always told me you wished I was never born. I love you mom. Happy birthday”, he added.
His mother, Atieno, in a recorded audio clip narrated how the son insisted on accompanying them to the local Corona market but she declined arguing that he had not taken a bath and was promised that he would accompany them next time.
Atieno explained that immediately they reached the market, she received the shocking call from one of the neighbours telling her to rush back home as there was a tragedy. She immediately returned only to find a large crowd gathered at their home.
On checking closely, she was shocked to find her son lying prostrate on the ground as some neighbours made a futile attempt to administer first aid.
An equally shocked father, Peter Omondi, said he was lost for words since they left the son in good health considering that he was the one who carried his younger sister back to the house as they left for the market.
Obunga sub-location Assistant chief Maurice Saf dismissed the claims that the boy left a note since no one has come forth to hand over the document to facilitate investigations.
However, Saf could not rule out this theory that the late Alphonse Owino Odhiambo could have left a suicide note but said the investigating agencies would certainly establish the cause of death.
He urged parents to closely monitor their children and understand them especially now that the Covid -19 has caused psychological trauma in many families.
The body has since been taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to await postmortem.
By Joseph Ouma/Fredrick Ajok
