Detectives are investigating
an incident where a police officer was found dead after a suspected suicide
near his house in Turbi, Marsabit County.
Officials said the deceased’s
body was found hanging from a tree on Sunday, May 4, at 6 a.m.
No suicide note was found, and
the circumstances surrounding the death could not be immediately established,
police said.
His colleagues said the
deceased had been in rehabilitation and resumed duty one month ago.
The motive was not immediately
established, police said.
The body was moved to the
Marsabit Referral Hospital morgue, awaiting autopsy.
This is the latest suicide
incident to involve a police officer. Police
say cases of suicide among police officers are on the rise amid efforts to
address the trend.
Many
say this is linked to their stress.
Dozens of police officers have
died as a result of suicide, or were killed in a trend that is attributed
to stress at work.
As part of efforts to address
the trend, police authorities have launched counselling services, and the
National Police Service Commission has established a unit and staffed it to
attend to their demanding situation.
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.
Officials say 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. Authorities are making efforts to address the
menace in the country.
The World Health Organisation
says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or
pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.
Other reasons are bullying,
previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and
substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.
