Tragedy as cop dies by suicide in Garissa

FILE IMAGE OF POLICE LINE

A police officer died by suicide at his place of work in Liboi, Garissa County.

Constable Hussein Mohamed Sahal, 25 was attached to the General Service Unit, Damajale.

His body was found hanging on a cactus tree about 50 meters from the camp. The incident happened on December 20 morning.

The motive of the incident was not immediately known. The body had bruises on the legs and hands. He had been released for an off duty on December 19, 2025 and that was the last time he was seen alive, his colleagues said.

The body was later removed and moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and investigations.

The officer had not shown any signs of stress to warrant the move, the colleagues said.

This is the latest such incident to happen and affecting police at large.

Many 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.

Police said there were at least five other separate suicide incidents that were reported on Saturday alone.

The incidents are under probe, police said.

Suicide incidents have been on the rise in the country amid calls on authorities to address the trend. Most victims are men, statistics show.