11 MAY 2025 04.38PM | Mulembe Times
LAMU, Kenya – Tragedy struck Mokowe town in Lamu West on Sunday morning after a General Service Unit (GSU) officer fatally shot his lover, her young daughter, and then turned the gun on himself in what police believe to be a murder-suicide incident.
The horrific event unfolded at around 5:30 am, sending shockwaves through the quiet coastal town and leaving residents in disbelief. According to police reports and witness accounts, four gunshots were heard from the teacher’s house, prompting neighbours to alert authorities.
When officers arrived at the scene and broke down the door, they found three lifeless bodies: that of the female teacher, her daughter, and the GSU constable. Police have since launched investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the triple tragedy.
Victims Identified
The deceased woman has been identified as Sheila Mukoya, a teacher at a local school. Her daughter, whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons, is believed to have been around 10 years old. According to a police report, Mukoya was shot twice, her daughter was killed by a single bullet, and the GSU officer died from a single gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted.
“The bodies had visible gunshot wounds. A firearm was recovered at the scene and has been secured as part of the ongoing investigation,” said Lamu County Police Commander Moses Murithi.
Initial investigations suggest that the officer was romantically involved with Mukoya and had spent the night at her house. Neighbours reported hearing the couple arguing on Saturday night, just hours before the shooting occurred.
A Relationship Gone Sour
Residents of Mokowe said the two had been in a relationship for some time, but tensions had been building in recent weeks. Some neighbours claimed that the officer had been displaying signs of jealousy and possessiveness. Others said Mukoya had recently expressed concerns about the relationship but feared the consequences of ending it.
“It’s a very sad day for us,” said Amina Hassan, a neighbour. “Sheila was a quiet, hardworking woman. We never thought it would come to this.”
Authorities believe the altercation escalated in the early hours of Sunday morning, resulting in the fatal shooting. The police are working to piece together events leading to the killings, including what triggered the officer to take such drastic action.
Concerns Over Mental Health and Firearm Access
The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the issue of mental health among Kenya’s uniformed officers, especially those in high-stress units like the GSU. Over the past few years, Kenya has witnessed a worrying number of cases involving police officers turning violent—either toward civilians, their families, or themselves.
“This is yet another wake-up call for the National Police Service to prioritize psychological support for officers,” said human rights activist Peter Oketch. “There needs to be a structured way to identify stress and intervene early before lives are lost.”
The easy access to firearms in domestic settings is also a growing concern. Advocacy groups are calling for a review of how service weapons are stored when officers are off duty, particularly in residential areas.
Police Response and Next Steps
The bodies of the deceased have been moved to Lamu County Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations. Police say they are treating the incident as a murder-suicide, pending a full forensic report and interviews with neighbours and close friends of the deceased.
Investigators are also examining the officer’s mental health history, disciplinary records, and recent interactions with colleagues to understand whether there were any red flags that may have been missed.
Lamu County leaders have urged calm and support for the affected families, particularly those of Mukoya and her daughter. Community-based counselling services have been activated to help residents, students, and colleagues cope with the emotional toll of the tragedy.
