- Police arrived and found it locked from inside. They broke a door and found body hanging by rope from kitchen rafter.
- At least three police suicides are recorded every month.
Image: The Star
Authorities are investigating the suicide of an intelligence officer who hanged himself himself in his kitchen several days ago in Lodwar, Turkana county.
Turkana is considered by many officers to be a hardship post.
Neighbours of the NIS officer identified as Aloice Lihutsu complained of a foul smell from his room.
Police found its doors locked from inside.
They broke one of the doors and found the body hanging from a rope in the kitchen.
Turkana police boss Samuel Ndanyi said they do not know the motive for the death.
Preliminary findings show the death may have occurred three days ago.
The body was moved to the mortuary for an autopsy.
Dozens of security officers have died as a result of suicide and shooting in a trend that is attributed to stress at work.
As part of efforts to address the suicide trend, police authorities have launched counselling services. The National Police Service Commission has established a unit and staffed it to attend to the demanding situation.
Police and security services staff countrywide have been evaluated by psychologists.
The counselling unit will, among other things, evaluate, design and lead an outreach programme that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse.
At least three suicide cases involving police officers are recorded every month.
Further, the unit will assist clients and families affected by mental health, substance abuse and trauma to find ways of overcoming the problems.
The unit will also participate in the formulation of counselling policies, regulations and strategies in conformity with the NPS reform agenda. It will also participate in the implementation, interpretation and review of counselling services, policies, procedures and systems.
Over the years, a spike in deaths in the service has been linked to trauma.
They include deaths by gun.
According to Kenyatta University research, the major factor contributing to suicide and murder among officers in Kenya is work-related trauma.
The study found that police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems.
They are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.
It further emphasised that police officers are often in touch with extremely painful issues in the community such as murder and rape.
Some officers have been found unfit to serve.
(Edited by V. Graham)