Son of Kenya's Finance minister commits suicideBy NATION Reporter | Thursday, May 17  2012 at  10:07

The son of Kenya's Finance minister has committed suicide at their family home in the posh Runda estate of Nairobi, the Daily Nation reported Thursday.

Kenyan police said they had launched investigations to establish the circumstances of the death of Mr Njeru Githae's son, a university student.

The deceased, Brian Njeru Karanga, was a fourth year computer engineering student at the University of Nairobi.

"This is shocking news," said family spokesman Dr Peter Githae, who declined to comment further saying the family will wait for results of a post-mortem due later Thursday.

He appealed to the media to respect the family's privacy.

Mr Githae has been substantive Finance minister since March 26 when he was confirmed to the post he had held in acting capacity from January following the resignation of deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

He is due to present the east African country's budget next month.

Elsewhere in the Kenyan capital, a vehicle belonging to legislator and tycoon Harun Mwau Thursday morning hit and killed a pedestrian near the renowned Serena Hotel.

The car was later towed to a police station nearby.