A cloud of grief has engulfed Garissa County after a police officer attached to Masalani Police Station reportedly blew himself up with a hand grenade.
According to Ijara Sub County Police Commander, William Oyugi, the officer had been involved in a heated argument with his girlfriend.
Enraged, the officer allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death before proceeding to detonate the grenade. Ijura police boss speculated that the guilt caused by killing his loved one could have led the officer to go to the extreme by ending his life.
"Chances were that the officer resorted to committing suicide out of desperation or regret after realizing that the lady had bled to death, owing to the physical injuries. The officer had burns all over his body caused by shrapnel from the explosive,” Oyugi stated.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Mwingi mortuary awaiting postmortem examination.
Reports indicated that the officer had been accused of infidelity by his girlfriend which led to turbulence in the relationship. The discord escalated to the point that the girlfriend had fled with their child.
There has been growing concerns from the public over the welfare of police officers in the country. This is due to the violence exhibited by a section of the officers.
The likes of Corporal Caroline Kangogo, made national news after allegedly killing her fellow officer, John Ogweno, and businessman, Peter Ndwiga. The fugitive was later found dead at her parent's house - with the police alleging that she committed suicide.
Further, Constable Bernard Sivo, attached to Njoro Police Station, broke the internet after he shot dead his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself.
Alluding to this, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i affirmed that the government is committed to address the challenges faced by the police sector.
A technical team was also formed, drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), in order to come up with incentives to actualize reforms in the security sector.
“Yes, we’re a long way off from achieving our targets, but getting there is absolutely necessary,” he stated.
