DusitD2 hero Cop who fought terrorists allegedly commits suicide after mother’s death.
In a tragic turn of events, Joseph Azuza Chama, hailed as one of the elite General Service Unit officers who fought terrorists during the DusitD2 attack, took his life following the death of his mother, Mary Anael Chama.
Azuza, 43, demonstrated unparalleled courage in the face of heavily armed terrorists, yet succumbed to the overwhelming grief of losing his mother, leaving behind five children.
His bravery during the DusitD2 attack on January 15, 2019, where he confronted more than five heavily armed terrorists, earned him accolades and admiration from colleagues and the public as the lens rolled to get the best pictures of him saving hundreds of people at the business complex.
His actions were captured by several journalists, saving lives during the siege at the business complex, as President Uhuru Kenyatta acknowledged the role played by elite GSU officers like Azuza in neutralizing the jihadist attackers.
However, despite his extraordinary valour on the battlefield, Azuza was unable to cope with the profound loss of his mother, who passed away on March 5, 2024 after battling a long illness.
Friends and family said the pain of the mother’s absence proved insurmountable for Azuza that tragically pushed him to end his life.
The police said on the fateful day, Azuza had gone to pay last respects to his late mother at Kenyatta Funeral Services home. However, he was unable to view her body, as the facility does not offer the service to clients on Sunday.
Overwhelmed by grief, he jumped out of a moving taxi near Muthaiga on Thika Road. Miraculously surviving the initial fall, Azuza met his demise when he was struck by oncoming vehicles after rolling back onto the road.