Cop dies by suicide in Liboi, Garissa County

A junior police officer has died by suicide at his place of work in Liboi, Garissa County, authorities have confirmed.

Police said Constable Hussein Mohamed Sahal, 25, who was attached to the General Service Unit (GSU) at Damajale, was found dead on the morning of December 20. His body was discovered hanging from a cactus tree approximately 50 metres from the camp.

The motive behind the incident was not immediately known. Officers who visited the scene noted bruises on the constable’s legs and hands. Colleagues said he had been released for off-duty on December 19, 2025, which was the last time he was seen alive.

 

The body was removed from the scene and taken to the mortuary pending a post-mortem examination and further investigations. Fellow officers said the deceased had not shown any visible signs of stress that would have raised alarm prior to the incident.

The death adds to a growing number of suicide cases reported within the police service in recent years, a trend officials and experts have linked to work-related stress and trauma. Police officers are often exposed to high-risk situations and are expected to maintain law and order under difficult circumstances, frequently placing their lives in danger.

According to the World Health Organization, suicide can be associated with multiple factors, including unemployment, bereavement, academic or work pressures, legal and financial difficulties. Other risk factors include bullying, previous suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, alcohol and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

 

The government says measures are being put in place to address the rising cases, including counselling and mental health support for officers. Police also revealed that at least five other suicide incidents were reported in separate locations on Saturday alone, all of which are under investigation.

Elsewhere, police in Lunyerere are investigating the death of a man whose body was found lying by the roadside near a local water plant. The man, believed to be about 40 years old, was moved to the mortuary pending identification and an autopsy.

 

In Tongareni, a 52-year-old man identified as Lumbuku Marani was found dead in his house. Police said he had been unwell for some time, and investigations into the cause of death are ongoing.

Suicide cases have been on the rise across the country, with statistics indicating that most victims are men. Authorities and mental health advocates continue to urge those struggling with stress, trauma or depression to seek professional help and support.