A candidate who sat for last year's KCPE in Cherangany has taken his own life over poor results. Kelvin Gachuri, 17, committed suicide yesterday after learning his performance was dismal.

The former Sinoko Primary School pupil's body was found hanging in his room. Kitale OCPD James Kimani said the police suspected that the deceased was forced to go back to class seven in 2011 after only achieving 187 marks in 2010.

"Even after all the efforts, the deceased got 229 marks and we suspect this demoralized him and became the cause of taking his life" said Kimani.

The boy hailed from Motosiet area in Trans Nzoia East district and has been staying with the grandmother. Kimani advised parents in the area against putting much pressure on their children if they do not perform well academically.

"Our education system is in such a way that nobody would appreciate a student if fails to feature in those who performed well" said Kimani. But parents should understand this is not good because it may cause harm," Kimani said.

Last year, a number of learners took their lives in the area resulting from poor performance in exams. The body of the deceased was transported to Kitale district hospital mortuary for postmortem.