A police officer assigned to a Member of Parliament has died after reportedly taking his own life by shooting himself in the head at his residence in Embakasi, Nairobi.
Constable Austin Owiti Oyuech Shariff, an Administration Police officer attached to the close protection unit, tragically shot himself on Thursday morning. The reason behind the incident remains unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation.
Shariff, 43, had previously served as a bodyguard for various government officials and was most recently assigned to guard Embakasi West MP, Mark Mwenje. According to those close to him, Shariff had not exhibited any signs of distress before the incident.
Mwenje expressed his sorrow over the event, stating, “It is sad this happened, and we are investigating to know more.” Shariff, who was on leave at the time, had spent most of Wednesday with friends in the neighborhood, enjoying drinks before returning home. The following morning, he reportedly woke up as usual before grabbing his firearm and taking his life.
The police have taken Shariff’s body to the mortuary for an autopsy and other formal procedures. He will be laid to rest at his family’s home in Seme, Kisumu County, on Friday, September 20th according to Muslim rites.
This tragic incident is part of a concerning trend of police officer suicides, often attributed to work-related stress. Dozens of officers have lost their lives to suicide or have been involved in other violent incidents, leading to increased attention on mental health within the police force.
In response, police authorities have introduced counseling services, and the National Police Service Commission has established a dedicated unit to address mental health and substance abuse issues within the force. Despite these efforts, it is estimated that at least three suicide cases involving police officers are reported each month, highlighting the challenges officers face as they work to maintain law and order in difficult and dangerous situations.
