Police in Kilimani sub-county in Kenya are investigating the death of a starving Ugandan refugee who was found hanging on a tree on Easter Monday in a suspected suicide incident.
Aneste Mweru, 28, a Ugandan national was recognized as a refugee by the Government of Kenya.
It is alleged that the deceased used a white scarf to hang himself on a tree on Waiyaki way.
Kilimani Sub-County Police Commander Lucas Ogara said investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of the refugee.
A group of refugees held a protest outside United Nations High Commission for Refugees offices in West lands, Kenya on Easter Monday after one of their colleagues committed suicide over hunger.
The refugees who were with Mweru before her demise claim he had complained of extreme starvation before storming UNHCR offices to seek help. However, UNHCR officers had closed for the Easter holidays.
He was ordered by security guards but he refused to relent until he was roughed up. The refugees said he crawled to the nearest tree, climbed it and hanged himself.
UNHCR regretted death in a statement.
We are in close contact with the Kenyan police, who have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.
UNHCR is also in regular contact with the refugee community and relevant authorities to ensure that any required support is provided and to prevent the spread of misinformation.
