It is not every day that Kenyans cops throw a party for all, but Kileleshwa Police Station recently held an evening bash for residents to create a cordial working relationship with civilians.
The invite for the party featuring nyama choma, drinks, music and dance was via social media which some thought was a hoax like Benson Amwayi, Dan Lusigi, James Musindi and James Amiani who had never set foot in the station.
Amwayi, a shamba boy, says he initially feared attending the party because of mistrust against police. “I stood at the gate, catching a glimpse of the action from a distance. I didn’t have enough courage to walk into the function.”
Lusigi at first thought the highly publicized function was a trap. “When I saw the posters, I wondered whether it was a genuine function or ni mtego twende tulewe tushikwe (a trap to arrest us once drunk),” he said.
At first Amiani was hesitant to eat. He thought the bill would be passed to him to pay for what he consumed. “Drinking in the police station is like throwing stones in a bee hive. Also taking meals on a police bill then ikifika time ya kulipia wapate sina? Nilale ndani?” exclaimed Amiani.
James Mutua was positive, lauded the move and urged other police stations to emulate the same.
“What happened at the police station should be copied by others so that the community can feel free to visit and share any information with the officers,” he observed.
A police officer told The Nairobian the event was meant to bring together families of both the police and the public.
“The main reason was to bring on board all the families to enhance community policing and integration,” said the cop.
Those present were entertained by the officers before being invited to feast on food and drinks.
The war against crime has partly been lost because of a shaky bond between police officers and civilians who distrust law enforcers.
There is a perception that some officers leak confidential information to criminals thus risking the safety of informants, and as a result, starving police of information and intelligence that can be used to counter crime.
