A unique yet historic
event unfolded this week. The stage was Thika road and residents of Githurai
held demonstrations for days demanding the release of a police officer! A
surprise to many! Constable Titus Musila alias Katitu, is the people’s
protector that residents have demanded to be released from the Industrial
Remand Prison in Nairobi. According to the residents, Katitu had helped
drastically reduce crime in Githurai 45, Kimbo and Zimmerman. Yet the police
constable has been held in remand, on charges of killing a man in 2013, and is also
being investigated by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) over
the killing of a key suspect in the same case. Now, the police authorities are
investigating the case and the courts will give their judgment. We should leave
it to them, but let us talk about this unique demonstration and what as Kenyans
we should learn from Katitu’s predicament turned affection from the citizens of
Githurai and neighboring areas.
When the residents en
masse; businessmen, matatu crews and all, joined hands in barricading Thika road to demand the police
constable be released, it simply showed how much the law enforcer had protected
Kenyans that he swore and took an oath of allegiance at his graduation, to serve. It is hard for a police officer to
draw such affection and love from the public, unless he truly serves their
cause and thus touched their hearts. For Katitu, he must have been the people’s
servant to the extent that they had to blockade the road just to see him back
and protect them from the thugs and other tormentors who are happy breaking the
law. To the law breakers in that area, he is their ghost yet to the people, he
is their invaluable savior!
Second, Kenyans sent
a message that after all, there are those who truly value the men and women in
the disciplined forces, especially those who serve them right. To them,
Constable Katitu fits that bill. But a lesson to many of our Human Rights
activitists, where are you when our police were butchered in the valley of
death; Baragoi? Where are you when our police officers were blown apart by an
explosive in a car that they had impounded on terrorism links some months ago
near Pangani? Wher were they when the police officers were trapped to their
death by the terrorist suspects in that car, and ended up paying with their
dear lives while saving innocent Kenyans? Do you really give a hoot when our
police men and women are killed by rogue thugs and terrorists while on duty? Have
you deliberately closed your eye to the plight of our police officers, only to
shout atop rooftops when Kenyans are killed under unclear circumstances by the
same police?
As Kenyans go about
their daily activities, let us learn to appreciate our police men and women as
our fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. Let us feel that
human part that is as vulnerable as ours and learn to appreciate and laud them
where credit is due, not castigating them every second of our lives!
To all rogue police,
please you are hurting the great women and men in the police force. You taint
the hard work and the human cause that they diligently serve. Reform from your
rogue ways and help enhance the good cause that your fellow police officers so
much work for.
dailynationnewsdesk.co.ke, standardnewsmedia.co.ke. kemu.co.keRemember that as Constable Musila’s scenario has shown, Kenyans
have faith in the good work that you do to them! And we all should remember
that in Kenya, members of the public defending a police officer is rare, almost
unheard of until Constable Musila aka Katitu came into the picture!
Enjoy the week ahead
and let us tone down on the politics and put our hands to work!
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