Police in Homa Bay have launched an investigation into the death of a veteran prison officer whose body was discovered just hours after he received orders for a new deployment.
Constable Ronald Bernard Ochieng, a long-serving officer with nearly 20 years of service at the Homa Bay GK Prison, is reported to have died by suicide on Friday night. His body was found by colleagues on Saturday evening after he became unreachable by phone, prompting a search of his residence.
Resistance to Relocation
The incident occurred shortly after Ochieng was issued “marching orders” to report to the Siaya GK Prison. According to family and colleagues, the officer had expressed deep frustration and resistance toward the transfer.
Homa Bay County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO) Peter Kimulwo confirmed that Ochieng had been vocal about his reluctance to take up the new posting. Reports indicate that the deceased had a final, distressed phone conversation with his mother regarding the deployment before switching off his device.
Health Complications
The transfer orders arrived during a period of physical vulnerability for the officer. CCIO Kimulwo revealed that Ochieng had only recently been discharged from the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he had undergone treatment for severe pneumonia last month.
“Shortly after returning home [from the hospital], he was notified of his impending deployment,” Kimulwo stated, noting the timing of the administrative order.
Investigation Underway
The Kenya Prison Service has expressed its condolences to the family, noting Ochieng’s two decades of dedicated service. His body has been moved to the Homa Bay mortuary, where an autopsy will be conducted to officially determine the cause of death.
The incident has sparked internal discussions regarding the welfare and mental health support provided to uniformed officers, particularly when handling logistical changes during recovery from serious illness. Detectives are continuing to document statements from the officer’s colleagues and family members to piece together his final hours.
