•Tragedy struck a police camp in Limuru, Kiambu County when a female officer blew up her head in a suicide mission.
•Constable Edith Nyawira, 35, of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit used a scorpion rifle that had been issued to her to die on Tuesday morning.
Police are investigating claims one of their female colleagues was pushed to suicide out of domestic violence in her love life.
Tragedy struck a police camp in Limuru, Kiambu County when a female officer blew up her head in a suicide mission.
Constable Edith Nyawira, 35, of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit used a scorpion rifle that had been issued to her to die on Tuesday morning.
She was the mother of a six-year-old boy who was in school at that time. She was supposed to be on guard at a local bank, police said.
She excused herself from work and went to her house where she shot herself. Witnesses said she shot herself in the mouth and the bullet exited in the back of his head.
The team of investigators that visited the scene said they recovered three spent cartridges.
They also recovered two suicide notes addressed to the deceased’s sister and boyfriend. The notes apparently cited troubled love life and violence.
County CIPU Commander Doreen Gitonga said they intend to conduct an autopsy on the body as part of the investigations into the incident.
This is the latest such incident to happen and affecting the service. At least a case is reported weekly, officials said.
Last week, a police officer died by hanging himself in his house in Nabukon village, Turkana county.
Constable Francis Epem Erot, 44, of Lokitung police station hanged himself in his house, police said. the body was found in his bedroom on May 10.
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 destigmatize mental illness and stress and to actively reach out to potential cases, including through the Nyumba Kumi initiative," Matiang'i said.