A police constable died by suicide over alleged domestic issues in Lukuyani, Kakamega County on Friday night. Constable Calvince Okello, attached to Lukuyani Police Station is suspected to have hanged himself using a rope inside his rented house, about 100m from the station.

His colleague, Constable Anthony Ruto said he had not seen the deceased officer during the day and decided to go to his house to check on him. The door was closed from inside and he peeped through the window and saw the body hanging.

The officer left behind a suicide note detailing domestic issues he had been undergoing. At least three suicide cases involving police officers are recorded every month. Officials say police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems. According to experts, stress due to the work environment has also been identified as a major cause, especially when they are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.

On April 6, Constable David Okebe Goga formerly attached to Marsabit Police Station, also killed his three children before he died by suicide in Kakdhimu in Rachuonyo West, Homabay County.

Detectives said they found a detailed suicide note inside the house, explaining how he wanted his children buried, among other things. Constable Okebe hanged himself with a sisal rope in his sitting room and it was established that he had poisoned the children

The deceased children were identified as Eden Hazard Okebe 6, Trezy Nicole Okebe, 5 and Seth Odeka 5, who is his inlaw’s son In another case last month, a 49-year-old police constable died by suicide at Sossiot Police Station in unclear circumstances.

The officer, who had been transferred to the new station just a week before his death, is said to have been suffering from both auditory and visual hallucinations and had claimed that he was being “chased by unknown people” in his house.

He then decided to spend the night at the station where his body was later found dangling from the window grills of the radio room. About 60 officers die by suicide every year due to stress and social, financial and workplace pressures with the situation continuing to worsen, according to mental health experts. Constable Okebe’s case, just like many others involving police officers, brought to the fore the challenges married officers face, especially when they are posted far away from their young families.

The situation is further exacerbated by senior officers who are either unable to identify and offer help to the officers who need help or are biased and inconsiderate.

One of the reasons given by the deceased officer for his death is suspicion that his wife had an affair with another man, a church elder, in the village. In the suicide note, he recounted how he sought the assistance of his in-laws upon realising that his wife had an extramarital affair.

“You never gave me a listening ear everything your daughter told you was final, this last time your daughter was cheating on me with an elder known as …. When I complained your wife as usual told her to quit as quick as possible and sent bodaboda to pick her with my kids,” the note reads.

He has also blamed one of his bosses of frustrating him and favouring other officers. According to security expert George Musamali, officers are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.