A police officer attached to Kiungani Police Station was on Tuesday found dead in his rental house in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, after reportedly inhaling carbon monoxide from a burning jiko.
The officer, identified as Constable Nicholas Nzia, had been missing from work and was not responding to calls, prompting his colleagues to check on him.
Body Found Inside Locked House
Police said they found the door locked from the inside when they arrived at his home. After breaking in, they discovered his body lying on a seat next to a charcoal jiko that had burned out.
“It is suspected the officer may have died by suicide or was trying to keep himself warm when he inhaled carbon monoxide,” said a police source familiar with the case.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and further investigations.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Experts warn that carbon monoxide (CO) — a colorless, odorless gas — is extremely dangerous and often referred to as a silent killer. It is produced when charcoal, gas, or wood burns in poorly ventilated spaces.
Health authorities caution that poisoning often occurs at night when people are asleep, as victims rarely notice symptoms before losing consciousness.
Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death to determine whether it was accidental or intentional.
