A police officer has died by suicide in Yatta, Machakos.
Administration police constable Alex Nganda Kieti, 36, died at his rural home in Mamba on Monday.
The incident was reported to Yatta police station under OB NO: 15/24/10/2022.
Machakos county police commander Issa Mohammud said the deceased, until his demise, was attached to Borders Police Unit in Kanyonyo, Kitui.
Mohammud said the officer was off-duty and had visited his rural home approximately five kilometres from Yatta police station, where he used a sisal rope. He termed the incident unfortunate.
He urged police officers to seek the available counselling services from professionals whenever they were undergoing challenges.
“The deceased committed suicide under pressure and stress. This is very unfortunate since he had visited his rural home away from his workstation,” Mohammud told the Star on Tuesday.
“Police officers shouldn’t commit suicide, we have counsellors everywhere. Life isn’t always straight, it has challenges.”
The police boss said police officers should always be positive to overcome their struggles in life.
Mohammud said the incident was due to mental issues.
“People shouldn’t commit suicide. These are the results of mental issues. Life is the most precious thing that God has given you,” he said.
Issues of mental ill-health among police officers are on the rise with the numbers of those committing suicide equally increasing.
The incident comes barely two days since another officer shot dead his two colleagues, and injured two others before killing himself in Moyale, Marsabit.
The officer was stationed at Moyale police station.
Police reported that the said officer hit one of his colleagues with a stone on his head.
He then proceeded to the armoury where the officer in charge was distributing firearms to his colleagues reporting for duties.
He shot dead the officer in charge and a constable who was at the armoury.
“He also shot at PC Abass Mohammed, and injured him on the left shoulder,” police said.
He later returned to his house, locked the door from inside, and shot himself in the chin.
The injured officer was rushed to Alhilal Hospital in serious condition.
The bodies were taken to Moyale Subcounty Hospital mortuary.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
