On June 29, 2025, residents of Ng’iya, Siaya County, woke up to the sound of gunshots after Constable Martin Mwendwa allegedly shot and killed his superior, Corporal Chesise, the police officer in charge of the station, around 6 am.
Rogue Police Officer
Gem Yala Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula has reported that Constable Martin Mwendwa armed himself with a G3 rifle, entered the corporal’s residence, and opened fire, fatally wounding him in the chest and arms.
As the incident triggered an alarm within the station, responding officers quickly acted to contain the situation, Wafula confirming that Mwendwa attempted to flee toward Ng’iya Girls’ High School.
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Constable Martin Mwendwa was intercepted by officers during the chase and fatally shot after a brief confrontation.
Wafula further stated that investigations are currently underway, looking into whether the two had a disagreement or it was a case of mental breakdown.
The bodies of both officers were taken to Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Officers’ mental health in Kenya
Mental health challenges among police officers in Kenya have become a significant concern, with numerous incidents highlighting the issue.
A 2022 report by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) revealed that approximately 12,000 out of 110,000 officers (12-13%) face mental health challenges, attributed to factors like high-stress work environments, financial difficulties, marital issues, frequent transfers, and societal stigma.
In 2021, Corporal Caroline Kangogo allegedly killed two individuals before dying by suicide, and another officer in Kabete killed his wife and others before taking his own life. In 2023, a constable in Nakuru shot his supervisor after an argument, adding to ongoing issues.
A 2020 task force on mental health noted a high burden of mental illness among officers, with triggers including trauma from exposure to violent crime scenes, poor work-life balance, and inadequate mental health support.
The National Police Service (NPS) has acknowledged these challenges, with efforts to address them including deploying 59 counsellors across Kenya’s 47 counties and incorporating mental health training into the police curriculum at Kiganjo Police Training College.
Initiatives like the HakinaUshirikiano project and partnerships with organizations such as the International Justice Mission (IJM) aim to provide trauma-informed policing and peer support programs.
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However, the NPSC admits that current counselling services are insufficient to meet demand, with calls for increased funding, more counsellors, and better mental health infrastructure.
Kenyans Opinion
Many Kenyans express scepticism about officer reforms, viewing the force as still rooted in a colonial.
“Police shoot each other, kill citizens, and we’re told reforms are coming. Same old story. “Police are human, but the system ignores their trauma. Ng’iya is a symptom of no counselling, no support,” Mental Health KE posted on their X account.
There’s a strong push for accountability and transparency, with citizens demanding investigations into incidents like Ng’iya be made public.
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