MALINDI, Kenya, Dec 23 – A police officer died by suicide behind their residence at Kenya Airports Police Unit in Malindi, Kilifi County.
The body of constable David Mugiri who went missing Thursday night was Friday found with a bullet wound in the head.
The bullet went through the jaw and exited in the head, police said.
The officers who attended the scene said his CZ rifle that he used in the incident lay next to the body.
The motive of the incident is yet to be known.
Locals said they Friday heard a gunshot from where the body was found. It was after they checked that it was discovered. The body was moved to Malindi mortuary waiting for autopsy and investigations.
This is the latest such incident involving police officers in an increasing trend.
Cases of mental challenges are on the rise in the service amid efforts to contain the trend.
Dozens of police officers have died as a result of suicide 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.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome also established a welfare directorate to focus on the mental well-being of the officers.
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.
Further, it will assist clients and families affected by mental health, substance abuse and trauma with ways of overcoming the problem.
The unit will also participate in the formulation of counselling policies, regulations and strategies in conformity with the NPS reform agenda and participate in the implementation, interpretation and review of counselling services, policies, procedures and systems.
Over the years, a spike in deaths in the service has been linked to trauma.
They include deaths by gun.
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