Twenty-two-year-old Beatrice Neema Kalume, a final-year student at Shanzu Teachers College, tragically took her own life on August 11, 2023, by leaping from Kilifi Bridge into the depths of the Indian Ocean. The somber conclusion of her life came to an end on August 19, following an arduous ten-day search led by her family alongside local divers.

The question that lingered in the wake of this heartrending event was what had compelled this young woman to reach such a tragic juncture? Her mother, Mary Mwadondo, shared that on the day of the incident, Beatrice left their Kilifi town residence around 3:55 am, mentioning her intention to fetch tap water from within their compound. Tragically, she did not return.

The family, deeply concerned, reported her absence to the local authority, only to learn later that she had plunged from the bridge. Surveillance footage revealed the heart-wrenching moment when she disembarked from a motorcycle in the middle of the bridge and cast herself into the waters below.

It was revealed that Beatrice had been grappling with prolonged battles against depression and anxiety, with previous attempts at ending her life. Despite ongoing counseling and medical intervention, these efforts proved insufficient to salvage her from the depths of her despair.

During their time of immense sorrow, the family humbly appealed for assistance from well-wishers to aid in recovering her remains, as they lacked the resources of professional divers and equipment. A measure of solace emerged when the Kilifi county government extended a helping hand, providing a boat and fuel to augment the search endeavor. After nine days of relentless pursuit, her lifeless body was at last discovered ensnared among rocks near Seahorse Beach within Kilifi Creek.

The family’s relief mingled with gratitude as they acknowledged the contributions of those who had supported them in their darkest hours. They seized this moment to implore the government and other relevant stakeholders to address the pressing matter of mental health amongst the youth, advocating for enhanced support systems and greater awareness.