A police officer attached to Parliament shot and killed his colleague and injured another in a bar altercation at the Gigiri police lines, Nairobi, on Sunday night. The tragic incident unfolded when a group of officers was having food and drinks before a disagreement escalated into violence.
According to witnesses, the officers were socializing when an argument broke out among them. In the heat of the moment, the assailant officer drew his pistol and fired at his colleagues, killing one instantly. A second officer suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The commotion sent other patrons fleeing for safety as fellow officers intervened to disarm and apprehend the shooter. Nairobi police commander George Sedah confirmed that the assailant is in custody and will undergo thorough interrogation as part of an official investigation into the matter.
“We don’t know what led to the unfortunate incident, but he is in custody pending further action,” Sedah stated.
This incident has once again highlighted concerns over mental health challenges within the police service. Experts have pointed to stress, trauma, and difficult working conditions as key contributors to violent outbursts among officers. The police service has witnessed an increasing number of internal confrontations, some ending in fatalities.
This is not the first such incident in recent months. In a similar altercation last month, a police officer in Ruaraka shot and killed a colleague outside a bar. The suspect, identified as Police Constable Kipkoech Tarus, was arrested and detained pending investigations into the killing of Raphael Kimuli Wambua, who was attached to the Central Bank of Kenya.
Police officers are tasked with maintaining law and order under extremely stressful conditions, often putting their lives at risk. However, the rise in violent incidents within the force has raised concerns about their mental well-being. Security experts have urged authorities to implement stronger mental health support systems, stress management programs, and regular psychological evaluations to prevent further tragedies.
As investigations into the Gigiri shooting continue, authorities have assured the public that justice will be served, and necessary measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
