GSU officer shoots self after killing wife, child in Lamu in murder, suicide tragedy

FILE IMAGE OF A POLICE LINE

A General Service Unit (GSU) officer based at the Mokowe GSU Camp in Lamu County allegedly killed his wife and a five-year-old child before taking his own life on Sunday.

Lamu County Police Commander Kipsang Changach confirmed the incident, adding that it happened outside the camp in Mokowe.

The incident saw four gunshots ring out, prompting neighbours to visit the GSU officer’s house, where they met a harrowing scene.

The officer has been cohabiting with the woman.

Officials said the woman, a teacher by profession, had informed the officer that her family and her estranged husband had reconciled.

This angered the police officer and prompted the rage.

According to neighbours, upon entering the house, they discovered three lifeless bodies – that of the officer, his wife and their young daughter.

The wife was shot twice, while the daughter died from a single bullet wound.

After taking his partner’s and daughter’s lives, the officer turned the gun on himself.

The three family members’ bodies have since been moved to the Mpeketoni Sub-County Hospital mortuary as police continue to investigate the motive and circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

This is the latest case of a police officer going rogue, with incidents of officers turning on their kin or themselves being on the rise in recent months.

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 many 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.