Police officers in Marsabit County are investigating the demise of a colleague who was found dead shortly after reporting for duty at the Turbi Police Roadblock.
According to a police report obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the officer exhibited a jovial mood on Monday, March 11, as he arrived at the roadblock along Marsabit Moyale road at 6:00 am.
Following his arrival, the deceased informed his colleagues that he would be going back to Turbi Police Station, located about 50 metres from the roadblock and report back.
The cop is reported to have headed to the office toilets behind the station and moments later gunshots were heard renting the air.
An officer stationed as a guard duty was the first to arrive at the scene and found the officer lying in a pool of blood.
Beside the body, lay an AK rifle with four spent cartridges.
The officer on duty contacted the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officer (DCIO) who visited and documented the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the officer shot himself. The bullet went through the chin and exited through the head.
"Four holes were visible at the rooftop of the toilet suspected to be where the bullets exited," the police report read in part.
The body was transferred to Marsabit Mortuary for preservation and awaiting post-mortem examination.
Officers have since launched investigations to determine the motive for the incident.
The latest data by the National Police Service Commission reveals that at least three suicide cases involving officers are recorded every month.
To address the worrying trend, the commission established a counselling unit to come up with outreach programs to aid officers in dealing with mental health issues.
