Policeman shoots himself in the head over loans, life frustrations

An Administration Police officer yesterday committed suicide at Kandutura in Rumuruti area within Laikipia west constituency.

The 35-year old man shot himself in the head as his friend watched at a construction site over alleged life struggles.

According to Laikipia police commander Simon Kipkeu, the officer struggled with financial problems and family issues that he could not withstand and hence decided to take his life.

“He shot himself using his G3 rifle at the construction site where he worked. He had called his friend and told him that he had problems and asked him (friend) to notify his wife of his fate,” Kipkeu told The Standard.

The deceased who was attached to Thome police post was guarding a China construction site in Kandutura village, where he had been since Sunday.

 When contacted by The Standard Muturi Njuguna, the friend, said the deceased called him informing him that he would like to talk to him over matters he was struggling with.

“I was at my farm when he called me and told me he was struggling with life frustrations and financial issues and that he had given up with life. I pleaded with him to calm down and told him that I would like to talk to him. I went to is work place together with another friend of his,” said Njuguna.

“He (deceased) signified us that he would like to talk to me alone because the site was noisy. I walked over to him and told me of his bank loans yet all the projects he undertook were failing… He felt sorry that he owned no property.”

Njuguna told The Standard that the father of two had put his gun between his legs and after pleading with him to talk to his wife, who was in Nakuru, the officer placed the rifle in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

“I watched him shoot himself. I was so shocked…. I’ve never seen such a thing. I don’t know how I will cope with it. He was full of life and very healthy,” said Njuguna adding that the deceased had never mentioned any issues bothering him.

Njuguna had promised to help him sort his financial problems but the seemed determined to kill himself.

Police commander said the wife was informed about the incident and that she would come over from Nakuru.

The body was removed to Nyahururu teaching and referral hospital mortuary.