Domestic and work-related frustrations have been linked to a macabre incident where a junior police officer killed his three children before dying by suicide in his house in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay.
The deceased officer was identified as Constable David Okebe Goga of Marsabit Police Station.
He left a long suicide note, which suggested he was frustrated both at work and home.
Police authorities said they are investigating the incident. The police said they are also analysing the note as part of the probe into the incident.
The note explained how his property should be divided, how he and the children should be buried and what to happen at the burial.
In the note, the officer chose the entertainment system to entertain mourners who will attend his burial.
In the note being analysed by the police, the slain officer left an instruction that no food should be cooked during the burial.
He further expressed gratitude to fellow officers who had guaranteed him a loan.
The deceased children were a boy aged six, a girl aged five and the boy of his in-laws aged five.
He hanged himself in his house. Police said he was off duty and had travelled home for the mission.
His wife was away at her rural home over alleged
domestic quarrels when Goga poisoned the three children and died by suicide.
He left a long suicide
note, which suggested he was frustrated both at work and home.
Police authorities said they are investigating the incident. The police said they are also analyzing the note as part of the probe into the incident.
The police officer was based in Marsabit and had passed by his home on Sunday, April 6, when he committed the tragedy.
According to police, preliminary findings showed he fed them with poison.
He then took his own life by hanging himself in
the house using a sisal rope at Kakdhimu East Location, Kawiti Sub Location,
Kawarwai village of Rachuonyo West Sub County.
The bodies were moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.
This is the latest suicide incident to involve a police officer. Police say cases of suicide among police officers are on the rise amid efforts to address the trend.
Officials say this is linked to their stress. Dozens of police officers have died as a result of suicide or were killed many in a trend that is attributed to stress at work.
As part of efforts to address the trend, police authorities have launched counselling services and the National Police Service Commission has established a unit and staffed it to attend to their demanding situation.
The counselling unit will, among other things, evaluate, design and lead an outreach programme that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse.
At least three suicide cases involving police officers are recorded every month. Officials say police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems.
They are expected to maintain law and order in
very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.
There are efforts being made to address the
trend.
