Police Officer in Serious Condition After Shooting Himself in Suicide Attempt in Baringo County
A police officer is in critical condition after shooting himself in a suicide attempt at the Marigat Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) office in Baringo County. The officer, a constable on night duty, shot himself in the chin using his G3 rifle early on Thursday morning, April 3, 2025. His colleagues reported hearing the gunshot from the DCC offices, which prompted an immediate investigation.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the constable approximately 70 meters away from the station, walking in uniform with a gunshot wound to his chin. The injury was consistent with an attempted suicide, as the bullet entered his lower chin, passing through his mouth and severely injuring his lower jaw.
The motive behind the incident remains unclear, though colleagues described the officer as visibly disturbed in the hours leading up to the shooting. Just before the incident, the officer had claimed to hear sounds of movement within the compound, but this has yet to be confirmed.
After the shooting, the officer abandoned his G3 rifle, which was later found about 100 meters behind the NG-CDF offices, along with an empty magazine. A spent cartridge was discovered near the rifle, and 12 additional cartridges were found outside the National Disaster Management Authority office within the DCC building.
The constable was rushed to Baringo County Referral Hospital for emergency surgery and is currently reported to be in stable condition. This incident highlights the growing concerns about the mental health challenges facing police officers, with authorities attributing this rise in suicides to the immense stress associated with their work.
In response to this troubling trend, the National Police Service has introduced counseling services, and the National Police Service Commission has established a dedicated unit to offer mental health support to officers. The tragic event underscores the urgent need for greater mental health awareness and intervention within the police force.
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Police Officer in Serious Condition After Shooting Himself in Suicide Attempt in Baringo County