New details have come to light about Corporal Linus Mutunga, a 59-year-old detective working with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He tragically took his own life by shooting himself at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Corporal Mutunga, who served as a driver in the DCI operations department, was approaching retirement at the end of the year.
On the fateful day, he arrived at the office in the morning, displaying no signs of distress. Later, he calmly proceeded to the car park next to the forensic lab gate within the DCI headquarters premises.
Once there, he locked his car and tragically shot himself in the head. The sound of the gunshot alerted those near the Operations Section, who rushed to the scene and discovered Mutunga’s lifeless body inside the vehicle.
No notes were left behind, and he had not confided in anyone about the reasons behind his decision to end his own life. The motive for his actions remains unclear, prompting an investigation by DCI detectives. They are looking into whether his work in the Operations Section was connected to this tragic event.
This sad incident reflects the rising cases of suicide within the ranks of security forces, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in high-pressure environments. Recent data from the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) reveals that one in ten police officers experiences mental health issues, which equates to approximately 12,000 officers grappling with work-related mental health challenges. Other contributing factors include the high cost of living and family-related issues.
In response to these concerning trends, the police service has established communication channels for officers to express their concerns. Additionally, senior officers are receiving training to better support their junior colleagues in coping with the day-to-day challenges of their profession.
Counselors, medical professionals, and psychologists strongly advise seeking help when experiencing mental health issues. Support is available through the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline at 1199.
