Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has settled part of the debt owed by the police officer who took his own life yesterday in Changamwe, Mombasa.
In a post shared on his social media pages on Friday, December 10, Sonko said he came across the heartbreaking story last night while browsing online.
“At times ukiwa insomniac unapatana na so many sad stories online. I've come across this sad story of a police officer from Changamwe Police Station who committed suicide kwa kujinyonga and left behind a detailed letter to his boss and family of what he expects after his death,” Sonko stated.
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The officer whose identity has not been made public asked his colleagues to use contributions towards his funeral expenses to pay Ksh24,000 to a fellow officer identified as Sergeant Maina and two women whom he owed Ksh17,000 and Ksh50,000 respectively.
“Alafu kuna part the late officer anaongelea madeni aliyoyawacha duniani yakatwe kwa pesa ya funeral itakayochangwa through WhatsAap group. Kuna 17k deni ya Jeruto MPESA shop, Kuna deni ya 50k ya rafiki yake anaitwa philipita yakisiri. This is a very bad example to the public and it should not happen again in future,” Sonko said.
Sonko further urged all police officers facing various challenges to address them with their bosses.
“If they do not get quick solutions they should try to reach out to us as their local leaders we try if we can get solutions to their problems before deciding to take their own lives leaving their families to suffer and languish in poverty,” Sonko said
The former governor said that he was disturbed by the officer’s decision noting that the men and women in uniform suffer and go through the same problems as civilians adding that there are always solutions to problems.
“Polisi ni binaadamu tu kama sisi kwa hivyo pia wao wanapitia shida nyingi sana kama sisi. We can't keep on blaming police bosses on any death of a police officer due to depression while on duty. For instance, I have personally been disturbed by the contents of the attached suicidal note especially the part when the late officer is addressing his innocent children,” Sonko added.
In the note, the officer told his four children that he loves them and asked them to take their studies seriously, something which Sonko says will really hurt the kids.
“To my children, nawapenda sana japo singeweza kuwaaga lakini siku moja tutakutana. Musome kwa bidii na Mungu awalinde,” the officer said in his note.
Sonko said he chose to settle the debts owed by the corporal not because of a Public Relations stunt but because he knows how painful it is to lose a parent.
“Kwa leo not because of PR and show off but because I know how painful it is to lose a parent while you are still young. I have decided to clear the Ksh17k deni ya MPESA shop and Ksh50k deni on behalf of the family of this late officer in the following MPESA transaction numbers PLA2VVHVOS KSH.17,000.00 sent to JERUTO NJOMO and PLA7VVHPRV KSH.50,000.00 sent to PHILIPINA PUTU,” Sonko said.
The former governor added that he is also willing to offer a coffin and hearse to transport the body of the late officer to its final resting place if the family and Changamwe OCS agree so that all the funeral funds that will be raised through WhatsApp groups and other forums directly to help the family in other important issues like paying school fees for the children.
“Meanwhile let the officer Rest in Peace,” Sonko concluded.
