The Gem sub-county police force in Kisumu is grappling with the tragic loss of one of their own, as Constable Maurice Chillison Kisiagi, a recently transferred officer, took his own life on Sunday, April 16. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing.
Kisiagi, who had been stationed at Siala Kaduol police station for just a month after transferring from Kisumu, was found deceased in his police line house at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Gem sub-county police commander Cecilia Kemboi confirmed that Kisiagi used his service weapon to end his life, dying instantaneously.
According to Kemboi, Kisiagi had been on duty the day of the incident, signing out his firearm as per protocol. The police commander expressed her condolences to the officer’s family and vowed to keep the public informed about the ongoing investigation.
Kisiagi’s wife, whom Kemboi spoke with following the incident, revealed that their daughter was among the students affected by a recent food poisoning outbreak at Mukumu Girls School, which resulted in the school’s temporary closure.
Although the investigation is still underway, Kemboi indicated that preliminary findings suggest Kisiagi may have been under immense stress. “We believe that he was stressed because when someone reaches a point where he takes his own life, there is a likelihood that stress is involved,” she noted.
Kisiagi’s body was transported to the Bondo sub-county hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination. As authorities continue to investigate the factors leading to this tragic event, they acknowledge the importance of addressing mental health concerns and the relationships among police officers, their families, colleagues, and superiors.