Shock and grief engulfed the Tumaini estate on the outskirts of Kitale town in Trans Nzoia County after a female prison Constable attached to Kitale Women’s Prison committed suicide inside her rented house where it is believed she committed the act some four days ago.
Linda Machuma Wafula’s lifeless body was found Sunday evening leaning against a double-decker bed, having committed suicide using a mobile phone charging cable.
Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Francis Kihara told K24 Digital that the motive behind her suicide has not been established and that investigations have been launched.
“We have not known why she took her own life because she did not leave behind any suicide note at the scene but we doing investigations to determine what really transpired,” Kihara said.
According to some neighbours led by Judith Nasimiyu, the 28-year-old officer was last seen on February 1, 2024, at her residence.
She said a foul smell inside her room attracted the attention of neighbours who alerted police officers who then broke the door that was locked from the inside and discovered her lifeless body.
“She was a very jovial and outgoing officer who interacted freely with everybody. We last saw her playing with some kids here and we are still shocked because we did not expect that she could commit suicide,” Nasimiyu said.
Another neighbour Kevin Kulumba described the deceased as an active community member who loved dancing and singing.
“Linda’s social intelligence was unmatched. She was a great dancer and she entertained people fearlessly and her death is a big blow to us,” Kulumba said.
Her body was removed from the house and moved to Cherangany Nursing Home mortuary awaiting postmortem.
This is the third suicide incident involving prison officers. Early last year, a male prison Constable shot himself dead inside his rented house in the Lessos area and on November 8, 2023, a prison Corporal officer attached to Kitale Medium Prison hanged himself on a tree within the correctional facility.
