A Buruburu police officer who was captured in a viral video staggering and seemingly intoxicated has committed suicide.
According to a police report, Harrison Mugo’s body was found hanging on rafters of a burnt police canteen inside the Buruburu police station.
“It was reported by Mr Salim Onteri a grounds man at Buruburu police line that he woke up at 6am for his normal duties near the police canteen when he spotted the deceased hanging on rafters of the burnt police canteen within the police station lines,” the report stated.
The officer caught the attention of the National Police Service (NPS) on Wednesday evening, July 6, following the viral video with the police condemning the incident.
In the video, Mugo appeared drunk as he staggered along the road, and at one point, he fell down.
“The National Police Service (NPS) has taken note of a video clip circulating on social media where a uniformed police officer is seen walking alone while appearing drunk. This is to assure the public that this behavior is unbecoming, unacceptable, and unprofessional. NPS hence condemns it in the strongest terms possible,” NPS stated.
The police said that a uniformed officer is a visible representation and face of government and is required to remain extremely disciplined and professional while on duty and off duty.
Cases of police officers taking their own lives have been rampant in the recent past with Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i saying that the government had enhanced counselling sessions for the police.
