Interior Cabinet Sectretary Fred Matiang’i has linked the Kabete shooting incident to a love triangle.
The Kabete incident where a police officer based in Kabete, Kiambu County shot dead five people before turning the gun on himself, was described as a love affair gone wrong.
Matiang’i said the matter was closely being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service.
“We are saddened by the shooting and we condole with the families of those affected. As the probe goes on, we understand for now it is linked to a love triangle,” he said.
“The DCI and the Police Internal Affairs department are already on location. Within three days, we should be able to share with the public the findings from the investigations. We have nothing to hide.”
Constable Benson Imbatu attached to Kabete police station is reported to have first shot his wife, Carol Imbatu, in the neck before he opened fire to his neighbours and two bodaboda riders who had rushed to his house to check what had happened.
The five killed were Amos Njoroge, Gabriel Nguma Mutua, Paul Githinji, Kevin Ayieko and one other person.
According to preliminary investigations, Imbatu had stayed with his wife for less than three months before going on a shooting spree.
Dagoretti sub-county police commander Francis Wahome said that Imbatu went on a shooting spree in the wee hours of yesterday morning.
His colleagues, with the help of residents reportedly tried to trace his movements in order to disarm him.
Afraid of being cornered by his colleagues and civilians, Imbatu chose to shoot himself.
The civilian oversight body against police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched murder probe of six people.
IPOA boss said the authority has already collected eyewitnesses accounts that will help in the murder probe.
Matiang’i hinted that the gunman possibly suffered a mental break down citing that his Ministry is trying to destigmatize unfounded ideas about mental health while enhancing counselling and medical help for affected officers.
He said he is aware that mental health and social pressure could be among the factors fueling the upsurge of police brutality and killings.
He said the government will commit more resources to mental health and counselling in the Police and Prisons departments to help officers deal with stress and other personal challenges
“We have had challenges across the country – not only in the National Police Service. There are mental issues, social pressure and cases of homicides. It’s not going to be a matter of the police or the provincial administration. It requires all of us. That is how we build a strong community,” he said.
“Like any other members of society, Police and Prisons officers are susceptible to mental health challenges and other pressures including drugs and substance abuse.”
