A police officer in Meru County took his own life on Wednesday morning by shooting himself with his service rifle inside his house.
The officer, a corporal who was the head of the Ngusishi police post in Buuri, was found dead by his colleagues at around 3:15 AM, after they heard a gunshot from his house.
According to a police report, the officer used his assigned AK47 rifle to shoot himself in the mouth. The bullet went through his chin and exited at his forehead, causing instant death.
The report also stated that a suicide note was found next to his body, in which he expressed his frustration over financial problems and relationship issues.
The officer’s body was taken to the Timau sub-county hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are trying to establish the motive and the circumstances that led to the officer’s suicide.
The officer’s name and age have not been disclosed to the public, pending notification of his next of kin.
The incident has shocked and saddened the police fraternity and the local community, who described the officer as a dedicated and disciplined servant of the law.
This is the latest case of suicide among police officers in the country, which has raised concerns over the mental health and well-being of the men and women in uniform.
According to the National Police Service Commission, at least 15 police officers have committed suicide in the past year, while 14 others have died in suspected suicide cases.
The commission has attributed the high rate of suicide to stress, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and work-related pressure among the officers.
The commission has also urged the officers to seek professional help and counseling whenever they face personal or professional challenges, and to avoid resorting to violence or self-harm.