Police Inspector in Nairobi builds a house to an elderly woman amid COVID-19

By Tebby Otieno

Relationships between police officers and the public in Kenya have not been friendly, especially to those who have been caught on the wrong side of the law in one way or the other. During this COVID-19 pandemic, some residents in Nairobi have been chased away using tear gas during protests.

One of such protests was in one of Nairobi’s Kariobangi estate early May this year. Residents were protesting following demolition of their houses that left them homeless. During the protest, police officers were forced to use tear gas to disperse residents in what turned out to be chaotic.

However, there is that humanity in police officers that is felt outside their uniform. Deputy Officer Commanding Kariobangi Police Station in Nairobi, is one such officer. Police Inspector Dave Ongiri mobilized some of his friends to get resources and built a one-bedroom house for an elderly woman in the area.

‘‘Just to change that mind concept of a police officer, that perception that police officers are bad. It is one way of bringing the community closer to people by engaging in such an activity. It is also good at least to assist that mother in the community by building for her a house’’ said Mr Ongiri

The house was officially given to the elderly woman on 9th July, in a ceremony that involved cake cutting and dancing to some traditional songs outside the house which was still locked. When that time to open the house came, the key was finally handed over to the owner.

Speaking when she first stepped her feet in her new house, a mother in her late fifties who is known by locals as Mama Monica thanked the whole community for their generosity. She asked all well-wishers to continue reaching out to those in need because there are many needy families

‘‘Nasema ni asante sana kwa wale watu wote wamejitolea hali na mali juu sasa nimepata pahali pa kukaa na sikuwa na namna. mi naomba wote wabarikiwe hata wale hatuko nao hapa karibu na muendelee na hiyo hiyo muoyo siyo mimi pekee yangu kuna wengine bado wamefinyika

Thank you so much to all people who contributed their time and resources because I now have a place to stay, I did not have otherwise. I am praying for blessings upon all even those who are not present here, continue with the same spirit since I am not the only one, there are other needy people’’ narrated the humble mother sitting on a plastic chair in her new house 

COVID-19 has affected most families worldwide, according to Inspector Dave Ongiri, the situation can be made better through sharing and giving back to communities

‘‘You know mama Monica she is very old she is almost approaching sixty years and she has stayed in that house for the last 30-35 years, again if you look at the situation of COVID-19 it is good to share now with one another. It is giving back to the community’’

This is not the first time a police Inspector in Kenya is seen helping desperate individuals at their most times of need. In 2019, a police Inspector based in Nairobi’s Kangemi estate, helped a man who had been arraigned in a Nairobi law court for attempting to defraud Kenyatta National Hospital.

Police Inspector Emmanuel Tamooh reached out to a man after he watched news about him having tried to escape with his wife and new born baby without clearing a total of Ksh. 56, 937 medical bill. Even though he realized the bill had been cleared by someone else by the time he got to the hospital, Inspector Tamooh gave Ksh. 56, 000 which was his savings to the man to help him and his family.