A police officer stationed at Kamukunji Police Station in Nairobi narrowly escaped death after a dramatic confrontation with a colleague who attempted to shoot him. The assailant, who was later arrested and disarmed after surrendering to authorities, is said to have accused his colleague of having an affair with his girlfriend.
The shocking incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning while the two officers were on patrol in the Muthurwa area. According to a report filed at Kamukunji Police Station, one of the officers briefly excused himself around 2 a.m. to retrieve his mobile phone, which he had left charging at a bar in the area.
Upon arriving at the bar, he encountered another police officer and accused him of engaging in an affair with his girlfriend. The altercation quickly escalated when one officer allegedly slapped the other, prompting the assailant to cock his AK-47 rifle and fire a single shot. The bullet narrowly missed its target, instead piercing a metallic wall and tube grill.
Following the gunshot, panic ensued as other revelers in the bar took cover. The targeted officer managed to escape unharmed and promptly reported the incident at Kamukunji Police Station. In response, a team of officers visited the scene to gather evidence and investigate the matter further.
The assailant later surrendered himself and was placed in custody pending further investigations and possible prosecution. His rifle was confiscated as an exhibit. Nairobi police commander George Sedah confirmed the arrest and stated that authorities were probing the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the motive behind the attack.
This incident highlights the growing concern over mental health challenges among law enforcement officers. Many officers face immense pressure, trauma, and stress while on duty, sometimes leading to violent outbursts, self-harm, or even suicide. To address this issue, the National Police Service Commission has launched counseling services aimed at evaluating, designing, and implementing outreach programs to prevent mental health crises and substance abuse within the force.
As investigations continue, police authorities emphasize the importance of mental health support systems for officers to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
