A police corporal who had in a span of about four months rescued a seven-year-old boy from kidnappers in Loresho, recovered Sh2.3 million and two AK-47 rifles among other items in separate operations was among many officers who were commended for their good work this year.
Corporal Daniel Sunkuli of the Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU), who was described as a team player, is among scores who have conducted delicate and dangerous operations across the country, including the rescue of Master Ochieng Simbiri deep inside Kawangware without a single shot fired.
The Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Wednesday said the service has adopted a stick and carrot approach where dedicated officers will be recognised and stern action taken against rogue ones.
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Most of the officers rewarded this year are those involved in dangerous and undercover operations, including the five Recce Squad officers who were involved in September 29 Likoni operation where three terrorists were killed, four arrested and a G3 rifle and other assorted ammunition and explosives recovered.
Inspector Josphat Iyomweno Asumari, Sergeant JohnBosco Ngotho, and Constables Victor Manyala Omondi, Erick Otieno Omondi acted on an intelligence shared by a multi-agency team and raided a house occupied by terrorists in Dudus Area, Likoni. The terrorists were targeting Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa where Mashujaa Day celebrations were scheduled to be held on October 20.
Another team from Buruburu has also been recognised for exemplary work, including for the investigation that led to the recovery of the body of a human rights activist Caroline Mwatha whose body was finally found at the City Mortuary after a botched abortion.
The deceased went missing and police was suspected to have been involved due to her work in lobbying against extrajudicial killings by the police.
Sergeant Geoffrey Mutunga, Constables Richard Rotich, Eliud Ondanya and Dennis Macharia in September this year rescued a doctor based at Tena Estate’s John Lee hospital who had been kidnapped by robbers.
One of the robbers was killed and a firearm recovered in the operation. They also recovered at least three firearms and 27 rounds of ammunition in the last three months.
Another officer recognised for valour is Administration Police Inspector Alex Gitonga Thaara who was shot on both legs by Al-Shabaab terrorists but still engaged them and managed to kill one of them and recovered an AK-47 rifle and 90 rounds of ammunition.
On Wednesday, IG Mutyambai also said that officers who had attained the age of 45 and were still constables would be considered for promotion to the next rank if they have clean records.
“It is in our program so long as they don't have bad records. It is only fair that we promote them if they are dedicated and have maintained a clean record. The other officers will however undergo the normal process,” he said.
Mutyambai was speaking at the Kabete Police Station accompanied by the National Police Service Chief of Staff Munga Nyale, Dagoreti OCPD George Seda and his DCI counterpart Francis Wanjau.
“Kabete has done a lot of improvement and is the best station in Nairobi area. The expansive Kawangware is relatively safe and that is a sign that I have leaders here,” he said.
The police boss directed that Muthangari Deputy OCS Inspector Peterson Kunga and the Riruta Deputy OCS Inspector Alex Ndambuki be considered for promotion because of their good work.
“They should be station commanders and not deputies. We also plan to recruit station commanders and even constables who have qualifications are eligible,” he said.
