Almost every day a policeman commits suicide in Kenya.
One of the latest is the hanging suicide by a policeman in his house in Nabukon village,Turkana county. Most victims are men.
Constable Francis Epem Erot, 44, of Lokitung police station hanged himself in his house, police said. the body was found in his bedroom on Tuesday.
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.
In Rumuruti, Nyandarua county, a school guard hanged himself in the institution's kitchen.
The guard identified as Cosmas Kang’ethe, 42 was found dead in the kitchen long after the suicide.
Police consider the rise in cases alarming, saying there's a police suicide almost every day in Kenya.
The World Health Organization attributes police and other suicides to joblessness, the breakup of relationships or a death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying, previous suicide attempts, a history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.
(Edited by V. Graham)
