Missing police officer found dead in his home in Embakasi

Police are investigating the death of a colleague who went missing from his workplace in Nairobi four(4) days ago.

Constable Geoffrey Kinzi Indire,35, had been working at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the past year.

But he had not reported for work since October 1, 2024, prompting his superiors to check on him at home.

He was also not answering his phone calls, which caused alarm among his supervisors and colleagues.

The officers found his house locked from the inside and when they looked through the window they saw him lying on the bed unresponsive.

They were forced to cut through the window bars to gain access to the scene.

The body had no visible injuries and was taken to the mortuary for an autopsy and other investigations.

Police said they did not yet know the cause of death.

They are investigating suicide and sudden death, which could have been triggered by his health condition, among others.

Suicides have been on the rise in the service and officials say it is linked to stress.

Dozens of police officers have died by suicide, with many of the deaths attributed to stress at work.

As part of efforts to address the trend, police authorities have set up counselling services and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has set up and staffed a unit to deal with their demanding situation.

The counselling unit will, among other things, evaluate, design and manage an outreach programme to help prevent mental health and substance abuse.

At least three suicides involving police officers are recorded each month.

Officials say the police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems.

They are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, putting their lives at risk.

Over the years, there has been an increase in deaths in the service linked to trauma.

This includes deaths caused by firearms.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), such cases are attributed to job loss, death, academic failure or pressure, legal problems, and financial difficulties.

Other reasons include bullying, previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder. 

The WHO considers suicide to be a serious global public health problem, ranking among the top 20 causes of death worldwide.