A police constable is fighting for his life after an apparent suicide attempt early Thursday morning, April 3, at the Marigat Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) office in Baringo County.
Authorities confirmed that the officer, who had been assigned night guard duties at the DCC compound, shot himself in the chin using his G3 rifle in the early hours of the morning.
The motive behind the shocking incident remains unclear. Colleagues say the officer appeared “visibly disturbed” throughout the night, with one officer noting that he had expressed paranoia shortly before the incident, claiming he could hear people moving around the compound.
According to a police report, the officer was discovered around 70 meters from the station, walking in uniform with a gunshot wound to his chin. The bullet had reportedly entered from below his chin, passed through his mouth, and shattered his lower jaw—injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot.
His G3 rifle was found about 100 meters behind the NG-CDF offices, abandoned with an empty magazine. A single spent cartridge was recovered roughly a meter away from the weapon. Additionally, 12 other cartridges of the same caliber were discovered outside the office of the National Disaster Management Authority within the DCC compound.
Fellow officers recounted that the constable had been increasingly restless throughout the night. His odd behavior and statements about hearing movement in the compound raised concern, but no one anticipated the tragic turn of events.
The injured officer was rushed to Baringo County Referral Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Police have since launched an investigation into the matter, including a psychological review of the officer’s mental state leading up to the incident.
