Thesis:

Stressors Influencing homicide-suicide among national police service officers in Njoro subcounty, Nakuru county, Kenya

This research study delved into the prevalent issue of Homicide-Suicide occurrences among the Kenya National Police Service, Despite the concerning rise in Homicide-Suicide incidents within security forces, comprehensive research on this phenomenon was lacking in Kenya. This study aimed to investigate stressors contributing to Homicide-Suicide among police officers, with a focus on occupational, organizational, personal, and economic aspects that influenced self-harm behaviors. Drawing from Psychoanalytic Theory by Sigmund Freud and Emile Durkheim's Theory of Suicides, the research delved into the dynamics behind Homicide-Suicide incidents in the context of the National Police Service. Employing a triangulation, concurrent mixed-method research design, the target population for this study was 328. Data collection involved questionnaires and key informants’ interviews, while analysis encompassed descriptive statistics and content analysis. A sample of 180 officers were included in the study but only 136 completed and returned the questionnaires culminating in a response rate of 75.6%. In the context of personal stressors, the study scrutinized the interplay between diagnosed mental health conditions, exposure to traumatic life events, and relationship issues. The survey data revealed that a significant percentage of participants experienced symptoms of diagnosed mental health conditions due to personal stressors, impacting their well-being and ability to cope with stressors. Seeking professional help was limited, possibly due to associated stigma. Dissatisfaction with organizational support was also noted. Traumatic event exposure impacted officers' mental well-being, with organizational support playing a role in coping. Coping with relationship problems was complex, affecting both personal life and job performance. Regarding occupational stressors, the analysis focused on critical incident exposure, high workload, and job-related pressure. Many officers frequently encountered critical incidents or traumatic events, impacting their mental well-being. Organizational support for coping was perceived as insufficient. High workload affected officers' stress levels and well-being, with effective management and organizational support presenting challenges. Job-related pressure influenced mental well-being and perceptions of support. In the realm of organizational stressors, the study examined perceived support from superiors, availability of resources, and leadership effectiveness. Many officers felt unsupportive superiors hindered open communication, while resource availability was associated with officers' mental well-being. Leadership effectiveness was mixed, with communication style impacting officers' experiences. Addressing economic stressors, the research explored satisfaction with salary and benefits, financial strain, and career advancement. Many officers were dissatisfied with their compensation, feeling financial difficulties and stress due to inadequate salaries. Financial strain and debt negatively impacted officers' stress levels. Job stability and career advancement had varying effects on officers' well-being. The study's findings underscored the multifaceted nature of challenges faced by Kenyan police officers, aligning with insights from empirical literature. Recommendations encompass addressing mental health stigma, enhancing organizational support, promoting work-life balance, providing coping strategies, fostering empathetic leadership, ensuring resource availability, addressing compensation concerns, and creating supportive work environments. The outcomes contribute to the literature on Homicide-Suicide among police officers in third-world countries, offering valuable insights for policy-making by relevant agencies