A tragic shooting incident at Ng’iya Police Post in Siaya County on Sunday morning has left two officers dead, sending shockwaves through the local community and reigniting concerns over mental health within the police service.
The incident, which unfolded at around 6:00 a.m., began when Constable Martin Mwendwa allegedly stormed into the residence of his superior, Corporal Chesise, and fatally shot him in the chest and arms using a G3 rifle.
Confirming the incident, Gem Yala Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula said that officers responded quickly after hearing gunfire. Mwendwa reportedly fled the scene and ran towards Ng’iya Girls’ High School, prompting a swift manhunt. He was intercepted and fatally shot by fellow officers during the confrontation.
“The matter is under investigation, and we are keen to establish the underlying cause. We are not ruling out any possibilities, including psychological distress,” said Wafula.
Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting may have stemmed from a personal disagreement between the two officers. However, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Constable Mwendwa may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the fatal encounter.
Both bodies have been transferred to the Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations.
The tragedy has raised fresh questions about mental wellness in the National Police Service (NPS), a concern that has been increasingly highlighted in recent years amid rising cases of suicides, murder-suicides, and breakdowns among officers.
As investigations continue, calls are growing for more proactive mental health support, counselling, and conflict resolution frameworks within the police force to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
