A quiet morning in Kwale County turned into a bloodbath when a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) ranger went on a shooting rampage, killing a police officer and critically injuring two others before turning his G3 rifle on himself. The incident, sparked by an alleged love triangle, has once again brought the issue of mental health in the disciplined forces into sharp focus.

Police reports indicate the ranger, identified as Constable Julius Onyango, stormed a local bar where his estranged lover was having drinks with a police officer attached to the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU). Without a word, Onyango opened fire.

30 Seconds of Horror

"He didn't ask questions. He just started spraying bullets," said a terrified bar attendant who survived by hiding behind a counter. The CIPU officer died on the spot. Two other patrons, caught in the crossfire, sustained serious gunshot wounds and are fighting for their lives at Msambweni Referral Hospital.

Onyango then fled to a nearby thicket where his body was later found with a single gunshot wound to the head. His G3 rifle lay beside him.

A System at Breaking Point

• Mental Health Crisis: This is the third murder-suicide involving uniformed officers in the Coast region this month. Experts blame the toxic mix of easy access to firearms, high-stress work environments, and unresolved domestic disputes.
• The Investigation: Kwale County Commander Steve Oloo has ordered a probe into how the ranger accessed the firearm while off-duty. "We are losing too many officers to crimes of passion," Oloo lamented. "We need to talk to our men."

As the bodies are moved to the mortuary, the question remains: who is watching the watchmen?