The Cop Who Helps The Vulnerable And Refines Police Image

VOICES OF THE NORTH

When you think of a selfless police cop with a touch of finesse and pulchritude, you will probably have him in mind. Alas! That is Mohammed Ahmed Omar, the perfect gentleman of a police officer who hails from Garissa county, North Eastern.

The young officer joined the police service sometimes 2006 after graduating from Utali college where he earned a diploma in tour operations. Due to his footballing talent, Mohamed was noticed by a senior police officer who requested him to join the national police football team. Six months after playing football for the police team, he got convinced and joined the police service and played for three years before quitting the beautiful game due to injuries. 

The issue of my being here today - my current duty station- started from when I entered the job, I took a strong vow to serve my country and fellow citizens and that is why who I am, said Mohamed. Social media is full of stories praising him for his outstanding work and the people he has helped in one way or the other in line of duty. 

The gallant police officer has won the hearts of many after going an extra mile to help a woman and her son who was suffering from cancer but could not get a passport to travel to India for specialized treatment.

Mohamed Ahmed, who is attached to the Immigration department, Nairobi, says the story of that woman and her ailing child was so touching that he had to do everything possible to help her and ensured she got the passport within a day despite her tribulations while seeking it. Many praised him for that noble act when the story went viral on social media.

Mohamed said that sometimes policeman’s life is threatened, “but the beautiful thing is that at the end of the day, when we go out of our way to help the people we are meant to serve, we earn respect and get confidence not only from my colleagues but also from the public.” 

Here’s how the interview went...

Who is Mohamed Ahmed? 

I was born and and raised in Garissa and schooled in Tana River. Later joined Utali college and graduated with Diploma in tour operations. 

So how did you end up in the police service after Utali? 

While working for a tour agency agency, I used to play football a lot and I was good at it.  

A senior police officer requested me to join the national police football team. Six months after playing for the team, I joined the police service and trained as a police officer. After that I played for the police team for three more years. Due to injuries, I quit the beautiful game.  

My first posting as a police officer was in Isiolo county where served for for one year and later Kitale and then Nairobi. Due to the good relation I developed with the public, I got seconded to Nyayo House, Immigration department. 

Family?

I'm the second born in a family of six. Raised by my both patents. It’s important that children get the opportunity to be raised by their both parents. My dad passed away sometimes early 2022 

I’m a father of one boy. 

How do you unwind?

As a passionate footballer, I rarely miss a football match especially the premier league and also have a test for movies and captivating series.. Also love touring places when time allows and above all I love helping humanity. 

Which is the most moving story you encountered in your line of duty? 

My encounter with a mother who applied for a passport for her son who was a cancer patient is one story I will never forget. She had difficulty in getting the passport for the boy, 9 years old. 

One morning while reporting for duty, I found a woman sitting at the entrance of Nyayo House dejected and depressed for not able to getting the vital document. 

It took her about five minutes to compose herself to narrate her story to me. I took  her details and followed her case up. I made sure by all means that the passport was out the same day and ensured her she gets in a day. When she came back the following day I couldn’t remember her face because I deal with many people but I had her passport. When she introduced herself, I recognized, gave her the passport and she could not believe. She was crying for close to ten minutes and at the same time praying for me.  After three days she came back and when I asked her why she’s back she told me that she came to thank me and the team but to also tell me that her son  died. It was such a sad story. 

How will you describe yourself? 

Humble, believes in helping humanity and believe in the positive image of the police service and it’s only through our actions that we will have a positive impact on society. 

We are not in the police service to earn salary or to gain power but to touch lives and empower the vulnerable civilians. 

Why Duale Will Deliver The North to The Hustler Nation

There is no one from the pastoralists’ political landscape who can whip a crowd quite like him. Nor is there any politician from the restive North with his special talents for handling political foes. From a junior politician in the 10th Parliament to a political bigwig in the 11th and 12th Parliament, Duale commands huge  support across the North – the political base of the pastoralists - not basing on tribal cocoons compared to his foes and has earned the respect and admiration of the North. Indeed he is the indisputable kingpin of the pastoralist community and the Muslim Ummah.

Patronage from his followers is overwhelming, above all, to his political opponents who deploy all means to thwart his political determination. But, he has outshined their conspiracies innumerable epochs and emerged as the winner. Refer to him as the Member of Parliament for Garissa Township or rather the first Majority Leader of Kenya’s National Assembly, Adan Barre Duale. 

The effect of Hon Adan Duale’s national position – Majority Leader of the National Assembly – has been felt across Northern Kenya; from Marsabit to Mandera, Moyale to Masalani just to name a few.

Before Jubilee came to power, Garissa residents – and the region at large - were treated to frequent power blackouts as businesses often came to a halt due to lack of energy. In those days, electricity was a preserve of few and those in urban areas and businesses in rural areas were left to find alternative ways of operating. 

Things are different today. That part of the country has been connected to the national grid. The Kenya Kwanza Coalition government's goal of electricity access by all will be achieved and the North won’t be left behind since NEP’s celebrated son will deliver its fair share.

History has been made courtesy of the Garissa Township MP. Mind you, he’s vying for his 4th consecutive term. Uninterrupted. That shows the love his people have for him.

There is a clear indication of Dr William Ruto’s incoming administration’s interest in developing the restive north and such plans will definitely change the economic aspect of Northern Kenya positively since investors will be attracted to the region due to the availability of power and other related infrastructure necessary for business. The hustler nation unveiled its plan for the region early this year while campaigning in Wajir. Hon Duale, as the undisputed kingpin of the pastoralist politics, has a say in all these and how they unfold.

On Nomadic animal husbandry, once the hustlers form a government after the elections, it has plans to upgrade the Independent Livestock Authority with the objective of providing a ready market for the Pastoralists livestock. The Kenya Kwanza coalition has a plan to ensure the north get Equalization Fund to assist the marginalized areas in providing basic services to bring the region’s  development at par with the rest of the country.

Infrastructure-wise, the road from Garissa to Madogashe is complete and  being used. It has indeed eased transportation of people, goods and of course livestock - the livelihood of Northern Kenya. This road bears the leadership signature of Hon Duale. He lobbied for it when he was the majority leader and ensured it’s delivered. Also Dr Ruto has a blueprint to unlock the region’s infrastructural need as there are plans plan to connect the region with itself and other parts of the country.

Duale’s record as far as Garissa Township constituency is concerned speaks for itself and it’s a story for another day. 

Lately, the Majority Leader has locked horns with his opponents in their attempt to register a tribal, individualistic political party in the name of UDM to ‘’fight for pastoralists interest’’ when in the real sense it’s the political vehicle of one outgoing Governor who is reportedly accused of looting his county and now purporting to contest for a senatorial seat to salvage his capsizing political boat and probably escape accountability. The outgoing Governor also knows that his own political star cannot shine brighter than the seat he currently enjoys. The writing is on the wall!

Hate or love him, the first Majority Leader of Kenya Hon Adan Barre Duale remains the kingpin of the Pastoralists’ political landscape. Hon Duale knows the way, goes the way and shows the way! And the Pastoralists have no option but to be with him. And sure they will.