NAIROBI: A traffic officer told a vetting panel on the conduct of police officers how his heroic acts saw him receive six commendations.
Bomet-based Corporal David Chumo then played video clips of television recordings highlighting some of his actions when he appeared before the vetting panel in Kisumu yesterday.
Chumo said he was once recommended for promotion by his seniors but this never came to pass.
The 36-year-old father of five captured the attention of the panel with stories of how he used his position to serve society.
Chumo recalled a threatening message he received while working in Narok from people he had angered because he refused to take a bribe they offered. “When I joined the police force, my main aim was to change the face of the force from what I had seen when I was young,” he said.
In Narok he received threats for fighting crime when he offered support to the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service. “Charcoal burning had been banned in Narok, but I went out of my way to protect the forest and Masai Mara National Park from degradation,” said Chumo.
The officer read the threatening note he had received from his actions.
“Hi Chumo. Hope you know us. You have arrested and jailed our brothers while looking for love of their children. You remember these vehicles (number plates withheld). You declined our money. Umesaidika na nini (what did you benefit from that)? Enough is enough. Kimaiyo and Uhuru will not feed your family. You will die mysteriously,” read the threatening message.
In the first video clip recorded in Murang’a, Chumo escorted a man with mental problems to his home rather than lock him up. The story was covered by the media and the man’s family was then able to trace him.
While at Maragwa, he donated foodstuffs to a woman with four children who had mental illness.
Chumo’s account won him praise from the vetting panel.
“Thank you for your exemplary work. Officers have been criticised but you have set a good example. You are a rare kind of person,” said Commissioner Ronald Musengi who chaired the session. The commission promised to follow up and ensure Chumo is promoted.
