Odd News

Man says politics pushed him to try suicide

(AP)
Updated: 2006-04-20 20:44

A Kenyan man who jumped into a river because he was sick of his country's chaotic politics has been convicted of trying to commit suicide.

Stephen Nyamu Ngari, 68, is on trial for attempting to drown himself in the Chania river on April 12, forcing villagers to rush to his rescue. Suicide is a crime in Kenya.

"It is true I attempted to commit suicide," he told the court Tuesday after pleading guilty. "I have always been disturbed by the political trend in the country since many political parties were introduced back in 1991."

Kenya has overflowed with dozens of new parties since former President Daniel arap Moi permitted multi-party democracy that year. But most of them have featured the same politicians in office for years or even decades.

"I have never had peace and I thought that the best thing for me to have peace is to take away my life," he said.

Magistrate Elizabeth Osoro ordered Ngari sent for a mental evaluation before his sentencing, set for Friday.