A senior police officer attached to the Special Operations Bureau (SOB) based in Kayole died after shooting himself in the chin minutes after he shot a neighbour who had intervened to help.
The officer, identified as Ezra Ouma, was pronounced dead after he was rushed to Komarock Modern Hospital.
According to a police report shared with Kenyan.co.ke, Ouma had earlier contacted a colleague who is a police commander at the station, threatening to shoot himself.
The commander rushed to the scene, where neighbours notified him that the officer had been rushed to the hospital.
The deceased also shot a 35-year-old man identified as Philip Muhavi Ayieka on the left foot, when he tried to offer help to the troubled officer.
It was not immediately clear why the officer took his own life, even as his colleagues commenced investigations.
The body was taken to the Kenyatta University Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem.
The police managed to recover a pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition and a cartridge.
Cases of police officers taking their own lives have been on the rise, with experts blaming it on pressure and poor working conditions.
Experts have also pointed out the deteriorating mental health in the country which has seen rising cases of suicides and murders.
The Kayole case comes barely a week after a police officer in Kerugoya died by suicide in his apartment, moments after leaving behind a note to his lover.
Counsellors, medics, and psychologists highly recommend seeking help whenever you experience any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.
