Details have emerged on how the Buruburu police officer who was captured drunk in a viral video battled depression for three years.
The officer named Harrison Mugo is said to have been overwhelmed by the loss of his son in 2019.
Mugo’s widow Judy Wambui in an interview with Nation intimated how the deceased's husband changed after the ordeal.
The woman described Mugo as a caring father and family man. Things however took a twist after their son passed on 2019.
According to Wambui, her husband constantly talked about their departed son. She explained how the depression pushed Mugo to drinking and eventually the incident that saw him reprimanded for his misconduct.
“Whenever he was home, he spoke about our son. It really affected him, It seems he found solace in alcohol,” the widow told the nation.
Mugo’s son died in 2019 after he was involved in a road accident during a school trip in Nanyuki. His colleagues also narrated how the incident ripped off his life, before getting hooked on the bottle.
The police officer died days after a video of him in a seemingly intoxicated condition along Jogoo Road went viral. According to his colleague, he was summoned for his misconduct which had caught the attention of police Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai.
The IG condemned the behavior and directed the Buruburu police commander to take action against him. Mugo’s case was one of the now common cases of police officers battling mental illnesses.
In January 2022, a report indicated that there were over 12,000 cases of police suffering from mental health. This led to the adoption of measures aimed at curbing cases related to depression within the police service.
The police service committed to supporting officers experiencing mental issues in a bid to solve murder and suicide cases that were on an upward trajectory.
Family matters and marital wrangles were listed among the common causes of mental health issues. The constitution mandates the National Police Service to promote police welfare among other aspects facing the officers.
Counselors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.
