A man holds an empty wallet.
A disturbing pattern is emerging in Lamu County’s security operations zones, where young male officers are falling prey to manipulative relationships that drain them financially and emotionally, often with dire consequences.
One such victim, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer formerly deployed in the terror-prone Boni Forest, recounted his experience with a woman he met at a pub in Hindi Town.
What began as a seemingly affectionate relationship soon turned into an exploitative affair.
“After landing at Boni Forest and having mastered the area very well, I used to find all means to come to Hindi town for refreshments and other enjoyments almost every weekend. Money by then wasn’t a problem,” he says.
The officer, who requested not to be identified for the sake of his privacy, narrated how he took out a significant loan to support his new lover’s dream of starting a business, only for her to disappear without a trace after his transfer to Kisumu.
According to the police officer, the woman convinced him that they could jointly invest in a business that would benefit both of them.
The woman was persistent despite the man having informed her of his looming transfer from Lamu.
Just days after the transfer, the lady changed her number. To date, she is unreachable.
“Today, I’m servicing a loan that never benefited me. I feel empty and betrayed,” he said bitterly.
His story signifies a broader trend affecting security personnel in Lamu.
Due to frequent transfers, officers, particularly young men, are vulnerable to calculated romantic cons from women who capitalise on their short-term deployment and financial stability.
A senior security insider confirmed that some women, and occasionally men, actively seek out officers, knowing they’ll soon rotate out making commitment unlikely and traceability difficult.
“They love eloping with ‘askaris’ and taking advantage of them. If you’re not careful, they drain you financially and emotionally,” he said.
A military officer, who requested anonymity, said the con game has reached an extent in which some of those involved are organised in groups, complete with agents who assist in identifying their targets.
He termed such individuals as dangerous.
“Those people might even go to the extent of setting up bars, pubs, and other entertainment joints. Here, they trap innocent men who are the bulk of their customers. They exploit their finances with a love narrative,” said the soldier.
However, some women defended themselves saying these relationships are for their survival.
Ms Miriam Kahonzi, a single mother, admitted to engaging in such a relationship with a military officer.
“I didn’t love him but I needed the money,” she confessed.
Ms Kahonzi said the military officer used to spoil her with cash every time they met.
“I didn’t actually love the guy but I used to compare what I used to generate in my grocery business and the Sh10,000 or Sh20,000 instant cash I used to receive from the military officer. I blocked (his contacts) immediately I learnt he had been transferred from this place,” said Ms Kahonzi.
However, the fallout is severe. Officers who realise they have been duped often suffer from deep emotional distress.
Lamu County Police Commander, Kispang Changach, in an interview with Nation revealed five officers died by suicide between January and May 2025, mostly linked to relationship-related financial strain.
In one tragic incident, a GSU officer fatally shot his girlfriend and her child before turning the gun on himself.
Lamu County Commander Kipsang Changach during an interview with the Nation in his office on May 26 2025.
Mr Changach said efforts are underway to address the mental health crisis. The National Police Service has deployed counsellors to Lamu and local commanders have instituted open-door policies to encourage officers to seek help.
Yet, many remain silent.
“Most of these officers indulge themselves in lifestyles which they can’t sustain with their income. Some go as far as indulging themselves in relationships which they may not be able to sustain. So, in the long run, we experience such unfortunate suicide incidents. But we’re in talks with our officers,” Mr Changach said.
Psychologist Andrew Masama urged honesty and communication in relationships.
“Don’t let things and circumstances change you into someone you’re not. Love isn’t supposed to hurt. If it does, it’s not real love,” he said.
