Police Officer Staggering In Viral Video Dies By Suicide

Mugo died at the police residential houses in Buruburu

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jul 7, 2022 - 10:04 Updated: Jul 7, 2022 - 10:18
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Police Officer Staggering In Viral Video Dies By Suicide
A file photo of Buruburu Police Station in Nairobi. /DAILY NATION

Harrison Mugo, a police officer attached to the Buruburu police station in Nairobi who was caught on camera allegedly intoxicated, is dead.

A police report according to the Nation on Thursday, July 7 revealed that the officer took his own life, a day after the National Police Service (NPS) revealed that disciplinary action was taken against him.

Mugo died at the police residential houses in Buruburu. He had hung himself on a rope at the Buruburu station's canteen.

A drunk police officer was helped by members of the public in Buru Buru, Nairobi County on Tuesday, July 4, 2022. /K24 DIGITAL

“It was reported by Salim Onteri a groundsman at Buruburu police line that he woke up at 6 am for his normal duties near the police canteen when he spotted the deceased hanging on rafters of the burnt police canteen within the police station lines,” the report read in part.

Onteri reported the matter with the scene visited by top police officers led by the Kamukunji police boss.

The body was later taken to Mama Lucy Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The clip seen by Viral Tea showed the late officer walking back to the station with an AK47 assault rifle, only to later stumble and was helped back up by members of the public.

The two could then be seen helping him onto a matatu that was parked beside the road.

“This is to assure the public that this behaviour is unbecoming, unacceptable, and unprofessional. NPS hence condemns it in the strongest terms possible. A uniformed police officer is a visible representation and face of government and is required to remain extremely disciplined and professional while on duty and off duty,”

"As NPS, we hold our officers accountable with regard to matters of discipline, decorum, and conduct to ensure efficient and effective service provision to the public,” NPS spokesperson Bruno Shioso said.

The number of officers killing themselves had been increasing recently and caught the attention of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2021.

A mental health awareness programme conducted last year also revealed a number of factors behind the trend, including bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, dementia and other psychoses.

Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai in April revealed the grave situation within the police force, noting that 2,000 police officers were deemed mentally unfit to serve. 

This added to the dangerously rising trend in suicide cases and depression against officers mandated to enforce law and order across the country.

“We have subjected all the officers [to medical examination], and to our surprise, we got a big number [of mentally-disturbed police officers]. We isolated almost 2,000 police officers who are unfit to do their law enforcement work," he said.

Counsellors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issues. Call Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199 for support.

Police officers step out of a vehicle. /FILE

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