A somber mood engulfed the Lake Basin Mall on Thursday October 30, 2025 in the morning after a businessman, identified as Hannington Juma Raburu, reportedly took his own life in what family sources link to a distressing tax demand from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Witnesses say Raburu arrived at the mall in a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, registration number KCY 869G, calmly parked his vehicle and handed the keys to a security guard before plunging from the second floor.

The shocking incident sent shoppers and staff into panic as mall security and emergency responders rushed to the scene.

According to Bakari Juma Mwanauli, Kisumu Central Sub-County Police Commander, investigations are underway to establish the circumstances leading to the tragic death. He confirmed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have already taken up the matter.

“The matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves. Our officers are working expeditiously to determine what may have triggered the act,” Mwanauli said.

Family members who arrived at the scene described the deceased as a hardworking entrepreneur who had recently been distraught after allegedly receiving a Ksh. 300 million tax bill from KRA.

The body was later moved to the Aga Khan Hospital mortuary in Kisumu, where it awaits a postmortem examination.

Authorities have urged the public to seek help when facing financial or emotional distress, as investigations continue into what has been described as one of the most tragic incidents to hit the city’s upscale mall in recent months.