- In April, GSU officer Hudson Wakise killed himself before pulling the trigger on his wife Pauline Wakasa, a traffic police officer, in Ruaraka.
- Health experts have linked the cases to mental health problems that seem to be taking root among the officers.
Image: Wilfred Nyangaresi
Cases of police officers killing themselves, their colleagues and pouring frustrations online have triggered concerns about the status of mental health in the disciplined forces.
While terming the incidents worrying, senators have called for an urgent remedy to protect the officers and their families.
The legislators summoned Interior CS Fred Matiang'i to explain practical measures and targeted interventions to address mental healthcare among the officers.
The senators want Matiang'i to disclose the state of mental health in the disciplined forces, including policies and administrative measures in place for the officers.
The CS will appear before the Senate’s National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Kisumu Senator Fred Outa.
“The committee should state the targeted interventions in place to address mental health care and treatment for the officers and indicate how accessible and effective these measures are,” Trans Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito said.
Mbito, who chairs the Health committee, wants Matiang'i to name the state institutions and medical practitioners mandated to provide mental healthcare to the various units.
He will also state the number of officers who have sought the services from the institutions since January compared to last year.
“The CS should outline the awareness and sensitisation measures, if any, including education and training in place and state when and how these measures are deployed,” he said.
In addition, the legislator wants Matiang'i to clarify whether the government has established a national database to help in prioritising prevention and treatment strategies of the affected officers.
The summon comes in the wake of rising incidents of police officers committing suicide, with others turning against their colleagues and family members, shooting them dead.
Health experts have linked the cases to mental health problems that seem to be taking root among the officers.
A fortnight ago, Corporal Caroline Kangogo turned fugitive, killed Constable John Ogweno and Peter Ndwiga before shooting herself dead in her parents’ bathroom in Elgeyo Marakwet.
Kangogo was buried on Thursday at her parents’ home.
In April, GSU officer Hudson Wakise killed himself before pulling the trigger on his wife Pauline Wakasa, a traffic police officer, in Ruaraka.
Wakise was a security officer attached to CS Matiang'i.
The two had reportedly argued over the move by Wakasa to move out of the GSU camp.
While mourning the death of the officer, Matiang'i pointed to ‘psychological’ problems among young officers.
“It is a rude awakening to psychological challenges among some of our young officers that we have no choice but to now pay greater attention to. My sincere condolences to their families and friends,” Matiang'i posted on Twitter soon after the officers’ death on April 7, 2021.
In May, Police IG Hillary Mutyambai ordered a probe after a female police officer took to social media lamenting against unfair treatment and sexual harassment.
In the video clip, the officer pleaded with Mutyambai to allow her to resign from the service, alleging among others sexual harassment by her seniors.
“I have written several resignation letters to the IG but they are being blocked down here. I am tired of the service. I want to go do other things,” she said.
-Edited by Skanyara