A different approach in fighting crime

Sammy Ondimu Ngare

Away from the guns, bullets and batons, 35-year-old Corporal Sammy Ondimu Ngare of the Kenya Police Service uses gospel music as an extra cache in the fight against evil and crime.

The corporal attached to the Senate department at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) has released yet another single Askari Ni Binadamu, featuring EllyThomas.

The song has not only gained fame among local music lovers – but its exclusive video was sponsored by Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko who features in it together with his family.

Known for his community outreach that has given the traditionally mean police force an image boost, Ngare was recently feted with Best Individual Police and Extra Mile awards for participating in other activities within the society, aside from serving as a police officer.

The awards, held at the Railways Club Nairobi, saw him emerge as the favourite scooping two awards.

“I am happy with the direction my effort is taking. I am glad that I have been able to reach out to a number of Kenyans besides changing their negative perception towards the police force. This is a sign that I am headed in the right direction,” says Ngare who hails from Suneka in Kisii County.

The musician has released two albums, Askari Ni Binadamu released in 2010 and Kilio Baragoi, in memory of the 42 police officers killed in the line of duty at Baragoi. His friendship with the Nairobi senator came as a surprise and he appreciates Sonko’s kind gesture.

“I only informed him of the video shoot and the venue and nothing more,” he says.

Paradigm shift

Ngare, whose latest remix Askari Ni Binadamu, aims at changing the continuous negative perception people have of the police service, says it is high time Kenyans realise that police are humans made of flesh and blood.

The album was produced by Evans Sure of Ever Sure Media Production and has sold over 2000 copies hardly two months after its release; Kilio Baragoi was produced by Timothy Boikwa of Still Alive Studio and sold numerous copies within and outside the country.

Some of the artistes who have featured in the album are Blessed Jo, Di- Kens and Carol Elabo.

Inspired by the teachings of the Bible and daily life, Ngare says he was touched by the inhuman acts visited upon fellow officers and the grief felt by their families when composing Kilio Baragoi. “This inspired me do the song that would linger in the minds of Kenyans for a while, considering our forgetful nature,” he says. He joined a few of his colleagues in raising funds for one of the affected families at the time.

“Having watched a story on KTN about a poor single mother whose only son was killed in Baragoi, I was moved. She had no means of surviving on her own and this prompted us to raise some funds to assist her. To date her perception about the police force has changed,” he says.

Massive launch

The launch of the album within Nairobi was a huge event that was attended by special guests, among them ex Inspector General David Kimaiyo, Deputy Inspector General Samuel Arachi and ex County Commissioner Shadrack Mwadime among other dignitaries and fans.

Ngare, who has received immense support from his local fans, fellow policemen and bosses, says he remains indebted to them.

He has performed at a State function in front of President Uhuru Kenyatta among other dignitaries, and is at the forefront in assisting needy children in Soweto in the sprawling Kayole estate where he provides for their basic needs.

Dubbed Max Factor Centre and initiated by six women who are living positively, it caters for orphans, abandoned children, sexually assaulted and rape victims.

“I cater for the basic needs of close to 50 of them, ranging from food, clothing, books, pants to sanitary towels, among other things,” he says, adding that in most cases Mike Sonko is always willing to lend a hand together with other well-wishers.

Inspired by gospel singer Jemimah Thiongo, he performs mostly in church and urges local gospel musicians to serve God diligently through their songs as opposed to doing it for fame and money.

The officer is married to Nelly Cheruto Ondimu with whom they have three daughters Gilliani, 9, Georgiana, 5, and two-month old Gabriella.

“God and my family have always been a priority in whatever I do,” he concludes.