A Buruburu cop who took his own life last week had been battling depression for three years, it has emerged.
The lifeless body of Harrison Mugo Mwangi, 42, was discovered hanging on the rafters of Buruburu Police station canteen on the morning of Thursday, July 7, 2022.
Police reports indicate the officer committed suicide a day after he was captured in a viral video drunk and staggering with a firearm while in uniform.
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Family man
In a recent interview with Nation.Africa, the deceased's wife, Judy Wambui, described the man she married in 2014 as a loving and responsible man.
She disclosed that her husband's mental health started deteriorating when they lost their first-born son on May 11, 2019.
Samuel Mugo passed on in a road accident while on a school trip in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. He was preparing to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination.
“Whenever he was home, he spoke about our son. It really affected him. It seems he found solace in alcohol,” Wambui said.
A colleague, who spoke to the publication, disclosed that from the day he was filmed intoxicated to the day he ended his life, Mugo talked fondly of his late son.
“He always told us about his son who died three years ago. One could tell that he was not doing well,” the colleague said.
Buruburu cop's family approaches psychiatrist
Apparently, weeks before Mugo's death, his family had sought the services of a psychiatrist because his condition was worsening.
“On the day he took his life, he told me things were not okay at work but promised to sort out the issue. Our second-born son was unwell, so he asked me to take him to hospital,” Wambui added.
At the time he spoke with his wife, who lives in Maragua, Murang'a, with the children, Mugo was in trouble with his bosses after the video of him appearing intoxicated went viral.
“Mugo was summoned by the bosses twice. The second time, they let him go a few minutes to 11 pm,” an officer said.
The National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Bruno Shioso had earlier condemned the officer and termed the behaviour unbecoming, unacceptable, and unprofessional.
“This is to assure the public that this behaviour is unbecoming, unacceptable, and unprofessional. NPS hence condemns it in the strongest terms possible. A uniformed police officer is a visible representation and face of government and is required to remain extremely disciplined and professional while on duty and off duty,” Shioso said
"As NPS, we hold our officers accountable with regard to matters of discipline, decorum, and conduct to ensure efficient and effective service provision to the public,” he added.
