The name Joab Omondi has taken over the internet today after the unfortunate incident where it was reported that the Likoni senior police officer on Thursday night shot a woman dead before turning the gun on himself.
According to witnesses, the Likoni Deputy OCS Joab Omondi picked a quarrel with the woman identified as Peninah Kaimenyi at Lovely Bar before shooting her dead.
Violence in Kenya is now at an alarming rate with regards to relations issues and depression being underestimated in the country.
Little research has been done to find out what makes men “snap” with such devastating consequences and if anything can be done to prevent it.
The term “family annihilation” was coined in the United States – in the UK it remains a crime without a name and does not feature in its own category in official crime figures.
Experts say the vast majority of these cases involve men while there have been some involving women, they are very rare by comparison.
Dr Marilyn Gregory of Sheffield University who has examined 20 cases says domestic violence can be one of the early warning signs.
“Tragedies like this happen with “monotonous regularity”, with those involved feeling an overpowering need to stay in control at all cost.
“They are men who have a lot invested in life. They have been able to achieve masculinity in positive ways.
“They’ve been working, having a relationship, they’ve been fathers.”However, the breakdown of such relationships can lead to a tragic chain of events.
Suicide in middle-aged men remains high on the agenda and Samaritans urge anyone to talk to someone if they are worried about their relationship, losing their job, or debt problems.
Experts like Prof Jack Levin say that is all that practically can be done.
“If a man feels he has no place to turn, although you can’t be sure he is going to commit a family massacre, you can be sure he needs your help.”