A police officer attached to Kangema Police Station, Murang'a county is battling for his life after shooting himself through the mouth late on Tuesday, January 2.
Preliminary reports indicated that the said officer pointed the gun inside his mouth and activated the trigger. He used the weapon assigned to him by the National Police Service (NPS).
After hearing the gunshot, his colleagues rushed to his workstation where they found him lying in a pool of blood.
They however intervened by rushing him to Murang'a Level 5 Hospital for emergency treatment and admission.
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Medical officers helped to stop the bleeding before conducting further scans on the officer. They observed that the bullet was lodged inside his head and required emergency surgery.
By the time of this publication, police had not established the motive behind the life-threatening act committed by the officer.
However, the incident raised concerns over the welfare of police officers. It pointed at the rising cases of police officers shooting themselves.
In November 2023, an officer attached to Nyakiaga Police Station died after he shot himself.
Police said they heard a gunshot from his house and when they went to check on what had happened, they stumbled on the body on his bed.
Those who visited the scene said he shot himself through the mouth and the bullet exited the rear part of the head.
A total of three spent cartridges were recovered at the scene. Police said they are investigating the tragedy.
To address cases of suicide in the police forces, a taskforce led by former Chief Justice David Maraga proposed a raft of reforms.
Among them proper mental and medical care and proper capitation of police officers.
