Tragedy in Homa Bay: Slain Police Officer’s Suicide Note Reveals Deep Frustration
A chilling tragedy has rocked Rachuonyo in Homa Bay County after a junior police officer killed his three children before taking his own life. The officer, identified as Constable David Okebe Goga of Marsabit Police Station, left behind a detailed suicide note that sheds light on the mental anguish he faced from both work and domestic pressures.
According to preliminary investigations, Constable Goga was off-duty and had travelled home on Sunday, April 6. It was during this visit that he poisoned his two biological children—a six-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl—as well as a five-year-old boy believed to be a relative from his in-laws, before hanging himself in his house using a sisal rope.
A Note Full of Instructions and Frustrations
Authorities have confirmed that the suicide note left behind is lengthy and contains specific instructions regarding his burial, the distribution of his property, and even the kind of entertainment that should be played during the funeral. Notably, Goga requested that no food be cooked during the ceremony.
He also expressed appreciation to fellow officers who had helped him secure a loan, an indication of financial struggles possibly compounding his stress. The note paints a grim picture of a man burdened by multiple layers of frustration.
A Wife Absent, a Family Shattered
At the time of the incident, Goga’s wife was away at her rural home, allegedly due to ongoing domestic disputes. This separation, combined with his professional stress, appears to have escalated into the unthinkable tragedy.
Police moved the bodies to a local mortuary, where autopsies will be conducted as part of ongoing investigations.
Growing Concern Over Mental Health in Police Force
This incident adds to a growing list of suicides within the National Police Service. Officials report that at least three cases involving police officers are recorded monthly, with stress at work often cited as a major factor.
To combat the rising numbers, the National Police Service Commission has introduced a dedicated counselling unit aimed at improving mental wellness among officers. The unit is tasked with designing outreach programmes and offering mental health and substance abuse support.
Police officers often operate under high pressure, expected to maintain law and order while facing difficult and sometimes life-threatening situations. With limited avenues for mental health support in the past, many have struggled silently.
A Call for Urgent Intervention
Constable Goga’s heartbreaking final act serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise mental health support within Kenya’s security forces. As the nation mourns the lives lost, it also faces a critical question: how many more tragedies must occur before the well-being of those who protect and serve is fully addressed?
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Tragedy in Homa Bay: Slain Police Officer’s Suicide Note Reveals Deep Frustration