A tragic incident unfolded at Kipkaren River Police Station in Uasin Gishu County on Wednesday when a police officer, while clocking out of work, fatally shot himself inside the station premises.
As per the police report, the officer had sought permission from the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) to attend to personal matters in Eldoret Township. The request was granted, with the condition that the officer first check out and hand over his firearm before proceeding. Initial investigations indicate that the officer hurriedly began disassembling his firearm in the Armoury.
In the process of disassembling the firearm, the officer inadvertently triggered the weapon, causing a fatal discharge. The bullet passed through his lower jaw and exited through the upper part of the back of his head. The OCS Kipkaren and his deputy responded swiftly to the gunshot, discovering the corporal in a pool of blood at the police station’s Armoury.
Law enforcement authorities, including the Sub-County Police Commander in Turbo, the Deputy Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO), and Crime Scene Investigations Officers, arrived to process and document the scene. The officer’s body was subsequently transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Eldoret for an autopsy.
This tragic incident adds to a concerning trend of unintentional firearm discharges among police officers, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures and training. Notably, in a recent incident, a police officer based in Kilimani accidentally shot himself in the index toe of his right leg while on patrol, necessitating immediate medical attention.
