Officer David Okebe Goga.
About three weeks ago, Police Constable David Okebe Goga arrived at his home in Kagoga Village in Homa Bay County to be with his family.
Most people in the village thought it was a regular break that police officers normally have. But Okebe had a different mission.
According to police, he had returned home to end his life and the lives of his two children and a young in-law.
Detectives say Okebe poisoned Triza Okebe, Hazad Okebe and Seth Odeka, his in-law, all aged between five and seven years.
He is also reported to have threatened to kill one of his bosses who had angered him but later changed his mind.
Police say he wrote all this in one of the suicide notes he left behind in his house in Kakdhimu East Location in Rachuonyo North Sub-County.
No one had known this until Sunday afternoon when his body, that of his two children and the in-law were discovered in his house in Kawiti Suba location.
While Triza and Hazad’s bodies were found lying on a bed in the bedroom, Seth was found on a chair in the sitting room.
Detectives intimated to Nation.Africa that the children had foam oozing from their mouths, an indication that they were probably poisoned.
At the scene were bottles of soda and pieces of bread which investigators believe contained the harmful substance.
Fred Ochieng, one of Okebe’s brothers, said the police officer could have been having issues with his wife who left her matrimonial home in February.
Okebe’s wife is said to have relocated to Sori together with her children but when her husband got back home from Marsabit Police Station where he is based, he decided to go after the children.
“He convinced his wife that the children should continue with their education and should go to school in the village,” Mr Ochieng said.
In one of the suicide notes, the officer allegedly indicated that he was expected back on duty on April 1 but failed to do so since one of his superiors was frustrating him.
The notes, written on two pages of printed papers and seven handwritten documents, were addressed to his mother, in-laws and colleagues.
He said there was a lot going on in his mind and he could not sit back and watch as his life crumbled.
Okebe wrote that one of his bosses had threatened to punish him if he failed to return to Marsabit on time.
“He treated us without equality in that there were people who could stay at home for up to five months but when it was my turn and that of (name withheld), threats would start after three weeks,” he said.
He further claimed that officers would be placed on two weeks probation should they fail to report back on duty within the specified time.
“He does not tell you anything yet he wants you to be present. I wanted to come to finish him too but I backed off because his children still needed him. Should he not change, then someday he will be finished by his juniors,” Okebe wrote in the suicide note.
He also sent a message to his colleagues who acted as guarantors in a loan he had applied for.
“I want you to know that I did not plan to quit so that you may suffer, but I could not hold it any longer, please forgive me.”
Next, he had several messages for his family members. He gave instructions on how he wanted to be buried, instructing that his body and those of his children should not be put in a casket, instead they should be wrapped in blankets.
He also gave directions on how his property should be divided.
On family issues, the police officer claimed he was under pressure from his in-laws. He also claimed that he tried to seek help from his in-laws over marital issues in vain.
According to one of his brothers, Collins Goga, the issues Okebe raised in the suicide notes could have been addressed had his brother brought them to their attention.
He said the officer was reserved and did not share much information about some of the things in his life.
“He had a lot of ambitions. He was, however, reserved,” Mr Goga said.
“We had a conversation on Saturday when he said he was going to visit our mother who has been ailing in hospital,” Mr Ochieng said.
Until Saturday evening, there was nothing to show that Okebe was planning to end his life. Mr Ochieng said he got information that his brother was dead a few hours after they had spoken.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem led a multi-agency team to the scene to commence investigations into the incident. He said Okebe was off duty.
"We have lost an officer who was very focused. Such matters can be resolved if people talk," Mr Koilel said.
He said investigators would establish what was used to kill the children after a postmortem exercise.
At the scene, police collected a combat bag which the late Okebe is said to have used to carry his belongings from Marsabit.
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