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The family of the late Presidential Escort Unit Dennis Kibet Cheruyot [Standard]
The family of a police officer attached to the Presidential Escort Unit has broken its silence following his death in Ruiru, saying they never suspected he was battling emotional or psychological distress.Speaking exclusively to Standard from the Kenyatta University Funeral Home, the officer's father, Reverend Jonathan Tonui, described the loss as sudden and devastating."We spoke to him regularly. He never showed us any signs that he was going through emotional distress," Tonui said, adding that the family only learnt of the tragedy shortly after midnight.
The officer, identified as Dennis Kibet Cheruyot, was found dead at his home in Ruiru in what investigators suspect was a self-inflicted gunshot incident. Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.Sources familiar with the investigation say detectives are examining several lines of inquiry, including whether personal or family-related challenges may have contributed to the incident. Investigators are also analysing a three-page suicide note believed to have been left behind. Authorities have not publicly confirmed its contents or whether it is authentic.The family said a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on Friday before burial arrangements proceed. Cheruyot is scheduled to be buried next Thursday at his family's home in Njoro, Nakuru County.The tragedy has reignited concerns over the mental well-being of police officers, with leaders calling for stronger psychosocial support within the National Police Service.Njoro MP Charity Kathambi, who accompanied Kibet's family to the morgue urged the Ministry of Interior to strengthen counselling and welfare programmes for officers facing emotional, psychological and social challenges."No one should suffer in silence. We must create systems that encourage people, especially our security officers, to seek help before personal struggles become overwhelming, the ministry under Kipchumba Murkomen should come up with programs to help officers ," she said.Kathambi also called for a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the officer's death.The incident comes only days after another police officer, Marjorie Bosibori, was reported to have died in a separate suspected self-inflicted shooting at her home in Kisii, further raising concerns over the growing mental health burden within the police service.The National Police Service has in recent years acknowledged the increasing need for mental health support among officers, with experts repeatedly urging institutions to strengthen counselling services, peer support programmes and early intervention mechanisms to address psychological stress associated with policing.
