Assistant Inspector General of Police Philip Kipchirchir has passed away after collapsing in his home in Chesumei, Nandi County, early Saturday morning.
According to initial reports, Kipchirchir, who was serving as a senior officer at Vigilance House in Nairobi, collapsed at around 5 a.m. on December 6.
Family members rushed him to the nearest medical facility, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
His brother told reporters that the officer suddenly became unconscious, prompting the family to rush him to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, despite the quick response, Kipchirchir could not be saved.
Before rising to the rank of Assistant Inspector General, he had served in various positions within the National Police Service, including in the elite General Service Unit (GSU).
Following the incident, his body was transferred to Samaritan Farewell Home, where it has been preserved as they await an official post-mortem examination that will determine the exact cause of death.
Kipchirchir was among several officers who had previously been removed from the service during the National Police Service Commission’s vetting process but were later reinstated through a court order.
As of now, the National Police Service has not released an official statement regarding his sudden death, leaving many questions unanswered.
In recent years, Kenya has witnessed a worrying rise in deaths involving police officers, linked to various causes such as road accidents, violent attacks, and even suicide. These incidents have continued to spark concern about the pressures officers face while on duty.
One notable case occurred in October, when a GSU officer stationed at State House Gate D in Nairobi was fatally attacked by a man wielding a bow and arrow. A post-mortem examination revealed that the officer died from severe bleeding after the arrow pierced his left lung and punctured his heart.
Police later arrested the suspect, who claimed during interrogation that he committed the act under the influence of “Satan’s command.” However, his family stated that he had been struggling with mental health challenges before the attack.
Kipchirchir’s death adds to the growing list of tragedies within the police service, highlighting the need for continued attention to officers’ welfare, mental health support, and safety both on and off duty.
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