KDF Soldier Burns Himself to Death

A 36-year-old Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier died on Monday after setting his house on fire inside Gilgil barracks, Nakuru County.

Per a police report filed under O/B 03/25/09/2023, the incident broke out during the night after the serviceman completed his daily duties.

The report also indicated that his colleagues, who were passing by, rushed to the scene after detecting smoke coming from the officer’s house. 

As such, they called for help from other officers and put off the fire. However, efforts to salvage any household items were futile as damage had already been done.

The officer was burnt beyond recognition while household items of unknown value were reduced to ashes.

Police officers have since launched investigations to establish whether the officer was suffering from mental health issues before the incident. 

Preliminary reports, however, revealed that the KDF officer had domestic problems and a history of alcoholism.

This case underscores the critical challenges faced by law enforcement officers in high-stress and demanding environments, which can have adverse effects on their mental health.

According to the most recent data from the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), one out of every ten police officers grapples with mental health issues. 

This predicament is linked to the intense stress of their working conditions, their superiors’ management approaches, and family-related difficulties.

In an effort to tackle these issues, senior police officers have been undergoing training to better support their subordinates in the workplace. 

The trained officers are expected to disseminate the knowledge to colleagues who are facing similar challenges.

In addition, Suna West Member of Parliament Peter Masara has introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the NPSC Act 2011 to make provisions for mental wellness and well-being of police officers.

This involves formulation of programs and policies and establishment of well-equipped centres in camps, training colleges and communities to promote psychosocial support among the police officers.