A police constable is recovering in hospital after a suspected suicide attempt at the Marigat Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) office in Baringo County.
The officer, who was on night duty, reportedly shot himself in the chin with his G3 rifle in the early hours of Thursday, April 3. His colleagues said he had appeared visibly disturbed throughout the night and had claimed to hear movements within the compound just before the incident.
Officers responding to the gunshot found him about 70 meters from the station, still in uniform and bleeding from the chin. Investigations revealed the bullet had entered his lower chin, passed through his mouth, and damaged his lower jaw.
After the incident, he abandoned the rifle, which was later recovered roughly 100 meters behind the NG-CDF offices with an empty magazine. One spent cartridge was found near the weapon, and 12 more were located outside the National Disaster Management Authority’s office.
He was taken to Baringo County Referral Hospital for emergency surgery and is now in stable condition.
This case highlights a troubling trend of increasing suicide attempts among police officers, which authorities have linked to high job-related stress. The National Police Service has rolled out counseling programs and set up a specialized support unit under the Police Service Commission to assist officers facing mental health challenges.
