In a shocking incident, a police officer on Tuesday morning shot dead his wife and five other people who responded to the commotion, before committing suicide.
The police constable first shot dead his wife after a brief quarrel.
Detectives identified the officer as PC Benson Imbatu.
The five other people who were killed included his neighbours and two Boda Boda riders.
They were first responders.
According to an incident report seen by continentaltv.co.ke, the five had rushed to the house after they heard gunshots, followed by fire.
The officer, attached to the Kabete police station, was armed with an AK47 rifle.
It is not yet clear what the quarrel with his deceased wife was about.
“He went on a shooting spree pursuing his targets far away from the house. We all worried for our lives,” a neighbour told the media.
The incident started at about 1 am according to police and witnesses.
“Police Officers proceeded to the scene where it was found out the said officer had shot dead the said wife on the neck,” reads the incident report.
According to Dagorreti police boss Francis Wahome, who spoke to the media on phone, the said couple was living alone in their rental house.
“We do not know the motive of the incident,” he said. “It is sad that we have lost seven people (including the officer).”
The bodies we taken to the mortuary.
The officer is among thousands who have hired houses outside the police lines in a new programme launched by authorities.
Experts have identified psychological challenges as a major contributor to increased suicide cases among officers.
