Written By Henry Kimoli 📝
Tragedy struck a police camp in Limuru, Kiambu County when a female officer blew up her head in a suicide mission.
Constable Edith Nyawira of Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit used a scorpion rifle that had been issued to her.
The incident happened on Tuesday at about midday.
She was supposed to be on guard at a local bank, police said.
Witnesses said she shot herself in the mouth and the bullet exited in the back of his head.
Police said they are investigating the incident.
The team that visited the scene said they recovered three spent cartridges.
They also recovered two suicide notes addressed to the deceased’s sister and boyfriend.
Details of the notes were not immediately made public.
Police said they intend to conduct an autopsy on the body as part of the investigations into the incident.
This is the latest such incident to happen and affecting the service.
At least a case is reported weekly, officials said.
Last week, a police officer died by hanging him self in his house in Nabukon village,Turkana county.
Constable Francis Epem Erot, 44, of Lokitung police station hanged himself in his house, police said. the body was found in his bedroom on May 10.
Police say the motive had not been established. The body was moved to a mortuary.
Police suicides have been on the rise and most are blamed on stress and work-related trauma.
As part of efforts to address the problem, authorities have started a counselling programme for the officers.
The National Police Service Commission announced it had established the counselling unit to evaluate, design, and lead an outreach programme to deal with mental health problems and substance abuse.
The programme also helps police families and others affected by mental health problems, substance abuse and trauma.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the government, the National Police Service and the Prisons Service have enhanced counselling and medical help for officers.
“There is a deliberate drive to destigmatise mental illness and stress and to actively reach out to potential cases, including through the Nyumba Kumi initiative,” Matiang’i said.
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