A police officer shot himself dead at Moiben Police Station in Uasin Gishu County yesterday, only four days after returning from leave.
Jairus Kiprotich, 35, is said to have reported back to work after spending several weeks at his Iten home following the death of his wife.
His seniors at the station said he was manning the reports desk yesterday morning when he shot himself just moments before he was to hand over to another officer at the desk.
Moiben Police Commander Jamleck Ngaruiya said Kiprotich shot himself in the mouth at about 6.30am.
“Officers were preparing to take suspects to court. Kiprotich left the reports desk and entered the crime office. Immediately, fellow officers heard a gunshot and they found him lying dead,” the police boss said.
He said Kiprotich was among officers who were moved from the Administration Police service to Kenya Police during the recent changes at the National Police Service.
Ngaruiya said the police could not immediately ascertain why the officer turned the gun on himself.
“I am informed that his wife died recently and we are yet to establish whether he was depressed following the loss,” he said.
