An administration police officer attached to Ngethu Water Treatment plant in Kiambu on Monday, August 9, committed suicide by setting himself ablaze.
According to a police OB report filed at Endarasha, Kanyagia Police Patrol Base in Nyeri County, Mwihoyo Location Chief Lydia Wambui reported that James Mwangi Nderitu had committed the act at his rural home in Muthuini Sub Location in Mwohoko area, Kieni West.
Mwangi was on a 7-day pass leave from August 2.
The police report indicates that Mwangi was last seen around 9:30 am feeding his cow by his brother Joseph Gacheru Nderitu. The two had a short conversation before the former left him and entered his house.
Thirty minutes later, a huge smoke was seen emanating from his house by one Festus Nderitu who alerted the neighbours by hooting.
When neighbours arrived at the scene, they found the main door and that of his bedroom locked from inside.
Members of the public managed to put out the fire before it could spread to other rooms.
They broke into the deceased bedroom and found his body on the bed facing down, dressed and partly burnt.
The motive of the suicide is yet to be established as no suicide note was found. Mwangi’s remain has been taken to Mary Immaculate Morgue pending investigations and autopsy
