Cop shoots, injures woman in bar, turns gun on self in Nakuru

A police officer died following a shooting incident at a bar in Naivasha Sub-County, Nakuru County, on Thursday evening.

He died by suicide after blowing his head, police said.

The incident occurred at Lucy’s Pub, where corporal Collins Kochei shot a 34-year-old on her both breasts and her waist.

He later turned the firearm on himself. He died out of the injuries.

Both were rushed to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, where the officer was pronounced dead on arrival. The woman who is the owner of the bar was admitted in hospital with serious injuries.

It is not clear what triggered the shooting.

The officer was attached to Tangi Tano police post in Gilgil and was armed with an AK47 rifle at the time of the incident.

Police said they were informed of the shooting incident and rushed to the scene where they found the two lying in a pool of blood. The bullet had exited on his forehead after shooting himself in the mouth.

Other revelers had escaped the scene on hearing the gunshots.

Police said they are investigating the incident with top commanders visiting the scene.

It could be linked to trauma which is on the rise in the service at large.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of deaths in the service.

Authorities police are exposed to many forms of trauma that lead some to suicide in a worrying trend.

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, among other things, evaluates, designs and leads an outreach programme that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse

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 also 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.