Police officer dies by suicide following shooting incident in Nakuru

A police officer died by suicide on Thursday evening following a shooting incident at a bar in Naivasha Sub-County, Nakuru County.

Police said the officer shot and injured a 34-year-old woman at the establishment before dying by suicide.

Both were rushed to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, where the officer was pronounced dead on arrival.

The woman, who owns the bar, sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalised.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear.

The officer was armed with an AK-47 rifle at the time of the incident.

Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire and found the two with gunshot wounds outside the bar.

Witnesses said other patrons fled the scene after hearing the shots.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with senior police officers visiting the scene.

Separately, the National Police Service has acknowledged mental health challenges within the service and said measures have been put in place to support officers.

These include counselling services and a specialised unit established by the National Police Service Commission to address mental health and substance abuse concerns.

Officials have previously noted that police officers often operate under high-pressure conditions while responding to community crises, which can place significant strain on their well-being.