The man's body was found hanging on a rope tied to the roof rafter.

According to Kiarukungu chief Henry Kariuki, the man had visited his office to complain about the affair, but he did not know the man was in a critical mental state and would end up committing suicide.

Kariuki said on Wednesday, the attacked his wife with a panga and she was rushed to hospital where she was treated and discharged.  

" The matter was reported at Wang'uru police station," Kariuki said.

Mwea East sub-county police commander Daniel Kitavi said the deceased was expected to record a statement over the attack, but was found dead.

"Some of the witnesses who saw him attacking his wife have recorded statements," Kitavi said.

According to the Kiarukungu chief, the man appeared stressed over his wife's alleged affair with the young man who had been selling tomatoes in the village.

"We didn't think things would end this way because he had said he had decided to leave the two to do whatever they wanted," Kariuki said.

The deceased's brother said, "He was shocked to find out his wife was having a love affair with a man younger than his son."

Villagers expressed shock, saying the man should have let things be and moved on.

An alarm has been raised over the rise in suicide numbers in Kirinyaga.

According to police files, 132 people died by suicide in 2021 and 2022 and of the 132 recorded deaths, 106 were men and 26 were women.