Kakamega: Cop found dead after suicide in his house in Likuyani

A junior police officer was found dead in his house after a suspected suicide incident in Likuyani, Kakamega County.

Police said Constable Calvince Okello lived alone in a rental house near the local police station.

He had failed to report to work on April 25, 2025 when his colleagues went to check on him.

They found his body hanging on a rope that was tied around his neck and the roof of the house.

He had apparently locked the door from inside, which forced the colleagues to break it to access the scene.

A suicide note was found in the house, suggesting domestic issues were the motive of the incident.

Police said they are investigating the note to establish if he authored it.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations.

This is the latest such incident to happen in a series that are being reported in the National Police Service.

The incidents are linked to trauma related to police officers, which are on the rise.

About 60 officers die by suicide every year due to stress and social, financial and workplace pressures, with the situation continuing to worsen, according to mental health experts.

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.

According to experts, stress due to the work environment has also been identified as a major cause, especially when they are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.

Many say this is linked to their stress.

Dozens of police officers have died as a result of suicide or 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. Over the years, a spike in deaths in the service has been linked to trauma.

Experts also recommend that the NPSC should embrace employee-friendly policies which support parental leave, ability to take time off, and flexible work arrangements which gives the officers the ability to balance work and family life.

The World Health Organisation says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties. Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.