Yesterday, the police service lost three officers.
A policeman, for reasons yet to be established, gunned down two, injured a third and turned the firearm on himself in Moyale.
This is a heartbreaking scenario. The police service is in a grave crisis.
Only seven months ago, former police boss Hilary Mutyambai announced close to 2,000 officers are unfit for the job, as they were battling mental illness.
The soaring suicides is evidence officers are in big trouble and they need urgent medical help. They are a danger to the people they serve and to themselves.
Every police station should have a mental health desk with a counsellor at hand who can diagnosis and provide urgent help.
The police service must also develop a routine screening process for all officers at an interval that medical experts will prescribe.
Mental health is a national challenge but the dangers the public is exposed to gets terrifyingly clear because the police have arms.
A credible professional approach will develop methods that can lead to the top bosses finding out in advance why the problem is getting out of control and the cure. Fellow police officers should have a safe and secret route of reporting suspected cases of mental instability among the rank and file.
Covid-19 ushered in an era of depression coupled with tough economic times that have brought anguish in just about every home.
Short of urgent medical action, the police will, instead of assuring the public of safety, become imminent and real danger to all.
Maintaining peace and order must be carried out by people fit for the job and who inspire confidence to all.
