A senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer was found dead in a toilet located inside the Lanet Barracks in Nakuru County.
Lanet sub-county police commander Benard Wamugunda identified the military man as Major RK Mbithuka of the 81 Tank Battalion.
The 81 Tank Battalion was named after the year it was established, having been formed in 1981.
The primary mission of 81 Tank Battalion is to conduct operations against enemy armour and the provision of close support to infantry while the secondary role is to conduct internal security operations in aid to civil authorities in maintenance to law and order.
The late Major Mbithuka was found lying in a pool of blood at the Lanet Barracks toilet in what is suspected to be a case of suicide.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the officer committed suicide by stabbing himself using a kitchen knife,” read a report about the incident.
Concerns have been raised about the increase in deaths and murders involving armed officers in Kenya.
Psychological issues have been described by experts as a significant contributor to increased suicide cases among the disciplined forces.
Researchers say the most prevalent conditions affecting officers in the armed forces are common mental health disorders such as anxiety, stress, panic and, mood disorders such as depression and alcohol misuse.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event is also a contributing factor.
Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood.
In spite of efforts by the government to encourage people to seek help, a substantial group of serving and ex-serving personnel have mental health problems but do not seek treatment.
