As Kenyans celebrated Mashujaa Day, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations took the opportunity to remember individual police officers who have gone beyond the call of duty and placed their lives on the line in guaranteeing their safety and security.
The DCI says some have lost their lives through their actions of bravery while others have lived to tell their stories which inspire other detectives in the daily execution of their duties.
In particular, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations celebrates a gallant detective who almost lost his life while arresting terror suspects. Multiple scars on his head and chest are a stark reminder of his near-tragic encounter with Al-Shabaab militia while he was posted in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa.
Corporal Robert Omwoha, who had been attached to DCI’s Anti-Terror Police Unit since 2003, almost paid the ultimate price when the terrorists he was pursuing, launched an attack.
On October 17, 2012, Omwoha and his colleagues were on the receiving end when terrorists they had arrested at Likoni in Mombasa, hurled grenades at them, with the impact almost ripping his chest apart.
One of his colleagues from the General Service Unit, unfortunately, lost his life in the attack, while Omwoha suffered head and chest injuries. As if that wasn’t enough, Omwoha once again got involved in a tragic accident 8 years later on March 10, 2020 while on duty, working at the ATPU office in Busia County.
250 stitches
After the life-threatening encounters, he underwent multiple surgeries and got 250 stitches to rehabilitate him and bring him back to life.
Doctors had told him that he had minimal chances of survival if the dangerous shards of metal were removed from his body. He was forced to live with the metals lodged in his body which is full of dark tracks of stitches and multiple scars that crisscross his arms, legs chest and face. The officer now walks on crutches.
However, Omwoha feels like he has not fully given his services to the nation, and he does not regret ever joining the Police service.
His story is one among many others of police officers who have been maimed while others have lost their lives as they provide public safety and security service to the people we serve.
He is an inspiration to the thousands of selfless men and women in uniform who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country.
But as the country marks this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is now calling on Kenyans to reflect on the selfless actions of security officers in guaranteeing their safety and security while calling upon them to partner with us through information sharing.
“Should you have any information that you would wish to share with us anonymously please dial 0800 722 203,” notes the DCI.
