A junior police officer attached to Gathaithi Police Post was found dead inside his house in Ikinu in what authorities suspect to be a suicide incident.
Police identified the deceased as Constable Soita Baraza. According to investigators, the officer had not been seen for several hours, prompting concern among colleagues who later went to check on him at his residence.
His body was reportedly discovered hanging from a window grill with a curtain tied around his neck. Authorities said the incident is believed to have occurred on May 23.
Police indicated that no suicide note was recovered from the scene, and the officer had not shared any information with colleagues that could immediately explain what may have led to the incident.
The body was moved to Mokue Mortuary pending a postmortem examination, while family members were informed of the tragedy. Officials noted that the officer lived alone at the time of his death.
Colleagues described him as hardworking and dedicated, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case adds to growing concern over mental health challenges within the police service, where suicide has increasingly become a major cause of death among officers. Authorities have previously linked the trend to trauma associated with the demanding nature of police work, including exposure to violence, high-pressure situations, and personal struggles.
In recent years, the National Police Service Commission and other police authorities have introduced counselling and mental health support programmes aimed at helping officers cope with stress, trauma, and substance abuse.
According to the World Health Organization, factors such as financial hardship, work-related stress, academic pressure, legal difficulties, and bereavement are among the contributors commonly associated with suicide cases globally.
