Residents of Tumaini estate in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County on Monday woke up to the shocking death of a 28-year-old woman prison officer.
The officer who police have since identified as Linda Machuma Wafula was serving at the Kitale Women’s Prison. She was of the constable rank.
Reports indicate that her body was discovered leaning against a double-decker bed at her house. It is suspected that she died by suicide using a mobile phone charging cable.
Trans Nzoia County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Francis Kihara while confirming the incident stated that the motive behind the suicide remains unclear. No suicide note was found in the house.
Investigations have since been initiated to uncover the circumstances surrounding the prison warden’s death.
How the prison officer’s body was discovered
According to locals, Wafula was last seen on February 1, 2024, at her residence. However, neighbours became alarmed by a foul smell emanating from her room, leading them to contact the police.
Upon breaking into the locked room, they discovered her lifeless body.
Judith Nasimiyu, a resident, expressed disbelief, describing the deceased as a jovial and outgoing officer. Nasimiyu mentioned that the last interaction with Wafula was her playing with children in the area.
Kevin Kulumba, another neighbour, remembered the prison officer as an active community member who loved dancing and singing. Kulumba lamented the loss, stating, “Linda’s social intelligence was unmatched. She was a great dancer, and her death is a big blow to us.”
Wafula’s body has been moved to Cherangany Nursing Home mortuary, awaiting postmortem examination.
The latest incident is the third involving prison officers in the region.
In a similar tragic event last year, a male prison constable shot himself dead in the Lessos area while on November 8, 2023, a prison corporal officer from Kitale Medium Prison hanged himself on a tree within the correctional facility.
