Police officer who labours to help the poor in society

Nairobi; Kenya: To many Kenyans, the police force is corrupt, brutal and uncivilised. However, one officer is defying this image. Despite his busy schedule, Corporal Sammy Ondimu Ngare, 34, finds time to serve God and reach out to the disadvantaged in society.

“I prayed to God to give me the opportunity to be a police officer. I had a desire to change the way society perceives the police force. I was happy when I was recruited,” said the Administration Police officer attached to the Senate.

After recruitment and training in 2003, he was posted to Marakwet East. Despite the challenges at his first workstation, he did not lose sight of his dream. His first mission was to change the public’s negative image of the police and he used gospel songs to do so.

His first song, Askari Ni Mwanadamu, released in 2011, raised his public profile.

“People would identify me in the streets and call me ‘Askari ni Mwanadamu’. They told me they now understood the police service positively. The fact that I was changing perceptions, though in a small way, made me very happy. Police work is just a profession like any other. We are not trained to be harsh. Individuals are responsible for their wrong actions, not the whole police service,” says Ondimu.

Because of the song’s impact, Corporal Ondimu started the ‘Askari ni Mwanadamu’ project with the purpose of reaching out to the poor and neglected in society.

 Children’s homes

He has donated food and other items to the Good Samaritan Children Centre in Huruma, Nairobi, among other children’s homes. However, he has a special attachment to the Maxafacta Rescue Centre in Kayole, Nairobi. The centre takes care of children who lost their parents to HIV and Aids, neglected children from the nearby slums and girls who have been sexually abused.

During one of his visits to the centre, he donated sanitary pads to the girls. He explained, “I found out that girls were sharing sanitary towels. I realises that if I didn’t take the initiative to provide them, some of the girls would opt to sleep with sugar daddies for money to buy pads. I gave them my mobile number to call me when they ran out. Lack of the sanitary pads greatly affects the girls’ self-esteem.’’

Ondimu will next week visit the centre to donate sanitary towels, clothes, food and toiletries. Among those who have joined his campaign is Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero who will donate a computer to the centre.

Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi has also pledged cash donations. Interestingly, Dr Kidero noticed Ondimu when he performed during a function presided over by the President.

Singing for the Head of State

“At this function, I performed the Askari ni Mwanadamu song. The governor noticed me. One day when he visited the Senate offices, he greeted and congratulated me. I was humbled. This is how he got to know about my project,” he says.

At the centre, there is a girl who scored a B-minus in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams whom the officer feels should be assisted to further her education. He has her assistance his priority.

To keep the governor and the senator informed of his activities, he sends them messages via social media. At Umoja in Nairobi, Ondimu donated a water tank for street boys to start a car washing business. This, according to him, is the best way to keep them out of crime.

“Unless we invest in their energy, they will spend it on crime and their deaths will hurt their poor families. I also encourage them to call me when they want my assistance. I would rather drain all my finances as long as they find a decent means to earn a living.”

He got in touch with the area Member of Parliament to secure sites where the boys can establish car wash businesses.

An officer and a gentleman

Corporal Ondimu, whose business card lists him as a police officer, charity volunteer, gospel artiste, master of ceremonies and motivational speaker, attributes his rise in the service to his charitable activities.

“I salute all my bosses who have supported me over the years. They saw my passion for the community and gave me a platform to reach the disadvantaged,” he says.

Ondimu singles out the Administration Police Spokesperson, Masoud Mwinyi, who gave him permission for this interview. He added,”He is happy that I am an agent of the reforms now taking place in the police service. Through him, the Inspector General of Police knows me.’’

Married and a father of three daughters, Ondimu comes from a poor family and knows what it means to lack. He says police officers can be part of the solution in society not necessarily through the baton or gun but having a heart for the poor. He says he is willing to sacrifice all his finances to put a smile on the faces of those who are deprived.