Man who shot GSU officer at State House had mental health issues, family says
By Nancy Marende, October 14, 2025The family of the man linked to the shooting of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer at State House, Nairobi, has come forward, claiming he had a long history of mental health challenges and needs medical help, not punishment.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the niece of the person of interest said the family was shocked to learn of the incident through news reports after failing to trace him for most of the day.
“Ilikuwa Jumanne saa mbili hivi tukipigiwa simu tukaulizwa uncle yuko wapi. Sisi hatukujua mahali yuko,” Catherine Mutisya, niece to the person of interest, recounted.
“Mtoto wake alipigiwa simu na mama yake, akaja tukakusanyika, ndipo bibi yake akatueleza vile ilitokea.”
According to the wife, the person of interest had told her the previous night that he was planning to travel to Nairobi but refused to disclose why.
“Bibi yake akamwuliza anaenda kufanya nini, akasema hataki kuulizwa. Alilala, kisha alfajiri, akaamsha bibi yake akamwambia afunge mlango ameenda,” the relative narrated.
“Tulikaa siku nzima bila kujua aliko. Ilipofika saa kumi na moja, tukapigiwa simu na mtu asiyetujua akimuuliza kama anamfahamu. Ndio tukajua amekamatwa Nairobi baada ya kuonekana kwa TV.”
The niece further said the man had previously struggled with mental illness but had undergone treatment and appeared to recover.
“Tangu hapo nyuma kidogo alikuwa mgonjwa, alikuwa na wazimu wazimu, akapelekwa hospitali akatibiwa akapona,” said a family member. “Baadaye akaanza kazi mahali panaitwa Kathiani, juzi tu akafunga kazi na kurudi nyumbani.”
The niece described him as a calm, hard-working man who was never violent or confrontational.
“Sisi kama familia tuliona ni mtu mwenye tabia nzuri, hawezi kosea mtu. Hiyo kitendo iliyofanyika imetuhuzunisha sana,” they said.
Family’s appeal to govt
The family is now appealing to the government to ensure he receives psychiatric care, saying his condition may have contributed to the incident.
“Tunomba serikali wamwachilie tujue vile tutamfanya, tumpeleke hospitali atibiwe ndio asirudie hiyo kitendo siku ingine. Pia tunahitaji maombi kwa sababu ako na shida ya kiakili,” they pleaded.
Police have yet to issue an official statement on the suspect’s condition, but investigations into the shooting are ongoing. The incident has reignited public debate on the importance of mental health support and early intervention to prevent such tragic occurrences.