•Police said they are investigating the incident. The team that visited the scene said they recovered three spent cartridges.
• This is the latest such incident to happen and affecting the service. At least a case is reported weekly, officials said.
Image: THE STAR
Tragedy struck a police camp in Limuru, Kiambu County when a female officer blew up her head in a suicide mission.
Constable Edith Nyawira of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit used a scorpion rifle that had been issued to her.
The incident happened on Tuesday at about midday. She was supposed to be on guard at a local bank, police said.
Witnesses said she shot herself in the mouth and the bullet exited in the back of her head.
Police said they are investigating the incident. The team that visited the scene said they recovered three spent cartridges.
They also recovered two suicide notes addressed to the police woman's sister and boyfriend. The notes were not made public.
Police said they intend to conduct an autopsy on the body as part of the investigations.
This is the latest case of suicide in the police service. At least a case is reported weekly, officials said.
Last week, a police officer died by hanging in his house in Nabukon village, Turkana County.
Constable Francis Epem Erot, 44, of Lokitung police station hanged himself in his house. The body was found in his bedroom on May 10. Police are yet to establish the motive.
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 depressed police officers.
The National Police Service Commission announced it had established a counselling unit to evaluate, design, and lead an outreach programme to deal with mental health challenges.
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.