GSU officer shoots himself dead in Kapedo

Baringo, Kenya: A police officer attached to Kapedo General Service Unit (GSU) security operation camp committed suicide Wednesday night by shooting at himself on.

The officer, who was among hundreds of security officers deployed along the border of Baringo and Turkana counties, used his official firearm to end his life.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Osman Warfa said initial investigations revealed that the officer was mentally disturbed at the time of incident.

"It's unfortunate we had to lose the officer but investigations are underway to establish what transpired. Such a loss means a lot at the time the country is fighting against insecurity', said the coordinator.

In May officers, involved in an operation to disarm bandits and cattle rustlers in the volatile North Rift, sensationally claimed that they were going for days without food and water.

The security teams complained of inadequate food rations, poor working conditions and lack of co-operation from their superiors.

Officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), regular and Administration Police and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) claim they receive meagre food rations, survive on contaminated water and endure poor sanitation.

The officers stationed in various hot spots in West Pokot, Turkana and Baringo counties, also complained over alleged Government’s delay in releasing their allowances.

According to the officers, each one of them is entitled to a Sh30,000 allowance during the operation's period, but many of them are yet to receive their stipend.

Last year, suspected Pokot bandits ambushed security officers at Kasarani area near Kapedo trading centre killing 21 officers.