A Kenya Defence Forces soldier was found dead
after a suspected suicide incident in Bukati village, Butula, Busia County.
Officials said the incident happened on Friday
December 5.
The deceased was identified as senior sergeant Patrick Asala
Bwibo, 53, and who was attached to the Kenya Navy in Mombasa.
The motive was not immediately known, officials who attended the scene said.
He died by suicide by hanging himself with a rope that was tied around his neck in a store in his compound.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy. Police and the military police said they are investigating the tragedy.
The victim was on an off duty when the incident happened.
Such cases have been on the rise in the military amid efforts to contain the trend.
Like police officers and other members of the disciplined forces, dozens of soldiers have died as a result of suicide in a trend that is attributed to stress at work.
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.
Over the years, a spike in deaths in the service has been linked to trauma.
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.
The government says efforts are being made to address the menace. Several agencies have created counselling sections to address the menace in their departments.
They have also hired counsellors to manage the sections as the cases spike at an alarming rate.
Elsewhere, police are investigating an incident where a man
collapsed and died in a bar in Transmara, Narok County.
According to the police, Lawrence Leperes, 35 was
having drinks in the bar when he collapsed and died. A friend who had been at
the joint escaped.
Two attendants at the bar were detained pending
investigations as the body was moved to the mortuary following the Friday
incident.
In Makuyu, Muranga County, one Wilson Kori Mwaniki aged 43, was found dead on the floor of his house.
The cause of the death was not immediately known, and the body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy, police said.
