Police officer’s emotional letter to people of Kibish goes viral

Administration police Sammy Ondimu Ngare was forlorn and devastated when he received his transfer letter to Kibish town in Turkana County.

Kibish is a town bordering Ethiopia to the south, a semi-arid location sparsely populated with constant cattle rustling threat from communities living along the border.

It's a remote area where every police officer wouldn't dream of being posted there.

"When I was posted here in Kibish, I was forlorn, and devastated. My friends told me that the place was a dreaded far flung remote area at the apex of our boundary with Ethiopia. A place known for extreme insecurities, banditry attacks and gun-wielding cattle rustlers." Read part of his farewell letter to the locals.

The father of three had to break the news to his wife and three children, about his departure from the capital city to a remote village prone to banditry attacks.

"My wife and kids received the news of my transfer with a rollercoaster of emotions. After my wife had prayed for me, with a very heavy heart, I began my journey to this place, that I knew nothing about it."

Contrary to the negative orientation the officer received, he found out that the locals were hospitable and very kind to him, and they quickly created a rapport.

"They embraced me with open arms and warmth. We would crack jokes, talk about everything in general and nothing, in particular, all day long." Read the now online sensation letter.

With his warm personality, Sammy, within no time, will see their police camp filled with children during the day and elders during the night, to banter about Turkana culture and the genesis of cattle rustling in the area.

"Fathers and elders would sneak into our camp not only to spent with me but to also teach me on the good and wealthy histories of Kibish and also grim histories of this District bordering Ethiopia- How Ekiru was killed by Toposa bandits, how lethal Kibish young men neutralized and pushed back the stubborn cattle rustlers from Ethiopia etc.

 Sitting down at night during our usual banters enjoying the dusty breeze and bright moonlight, the elders told me about the rich culture and traditions of Turkana's." Sammy reminisces.

The police officer is well known for his charitable endeavours, and he has been sharing inspirational messages with his online fans. A few months after he was posted in Kibish, his humanitarian side was called to action, and he quickly marshalled his online troops to help build a house for an elderly lady.

"Oh man I remember that morning when I was riding on a motorbike towards Kaikor town and saw an old lady crawling from her house looking emaciated and malnourished. I stopped to check on her and shared her story. In no time, my online family in their numbers took upon themselves and sacrificed their resources towards building Mama Asinyen a decent house.

Within 24hrs, Mama Asinyen had relocated to her own place and into a new house.

Even though Mama Asinyen didn't live longer in the house, she died a happy woman." Officer Sammy recollects in his letter to Kibish locals.

But the officer this time had another ground to cover and secure, a shaky ground that could injure his relationship with the locals. Police Sammy wanted the locals to start taking girls to school and end the stigma surrounding menstruation. A fete he achieved.

 "You saw sense in my message and finally said enough of forced and underage marriages. You allowed me to take your girls to school. You also helped me reach out and rescued other little girls who had been married.

 Your girls couldn't hide their joy when they stepped into classrooms for their first time, wearing new school uniforms, school bags wedged against their backs, and radiant smiles written all over their faces.

 I cried when I saw girls suffering from exclusion every time they were on their menstrual periods. They felt bad about themselves, their self-esteem suffered big time and felt worthless. However, I was filled with profound joy when I distributed the towels and saw smiles on the girls." He penned down on his Facebook account.

For Officer Sammy, it's another chance to serve humanity the best way he knows how. He leaves Kibish with fond memories plus eight girls he has taken to school courtesy of Max Facta Rescue, a charitable organization he runs.

"I will forever treasure the sweet moments we enjoyed together, the memories we had and the rich lessons you taught me about life, courage, resilience and humility." Police Sammy Ondimu ends his emotional letter to Kibish locals.