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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

http://kenvironews.wordpress.com Post Poll Skirmishes : UN Honours Kenya GSU Police Officer



J   oseph Musyoka Nthenge employed negotiating skills to avert post presidential election violence
The United Nations in Kenya, on the occasion of UN Day on Oct. 24, has decided to award the 2008 “UN in Kenya Person of the Year” to Acting Senior Superintendent of Police, Joseph Musyoka Nthenge.
Speaking for the UN, the Acting Director General, Inga Klevby said: “Today the United Nations family in Kenya recognizes Supt. Nthenge for his contribution to peace through dialogue [after demonstrators took to the streets following the December 2007 presidential election]. He is indeed worthy of the title ‘Kenyan hero.’”
Klevby added that, “Within a 48 hour period, Nthenge employed dialogue and negotiations four times to extinguish possible violent flare-ups. In addition to being seen on TV persuading a mob away from their destructive behaviour, he convinced two other mobs in the city as well as dissuading a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) to call off a march to challenge the banning of public gathering inside the city’s largest park (Uhuru Park) by the police.”
Amidst the scenes of bloodshed and mayhem that marked Kenya’s dark days following presidential election, the image of peace and judiciousness practiced by Nthenge stands out. The policeman was seen reasoning with an angry mob of demonstrators, and successfully convincing them to stop the destruction and turn back. “Mnataka kuharibu Kenya kwa siku moja, nchi ambayo imetuchukuwa miaka arubaini kujenga” (Kiswahili, meaning ‘You want to destroy Kenya in a day, a country that has taken us 40 years to build?’), the officer asked the young men. This was a rare feat for paramilitary officers mostly known for violently dispersing demonstrators.
Seventeen years earlier, in 1991, Nthenge had used reason and words to effectively quell inter-communal violence in a part of the Rift Valley Province. But it happened away from the glare of TV cameras and lights. Fortunately, the 2007/8 encounter was captured by a TV crew recording the violence sweeping the city, and splashed on the television screens across the country. He became an instant national hero.
Nthenge was in charge of a unit of the paramilitary General Service Unit (GSU) assigned to patrol a part of the city which was smoldering with tension and violence. On December 29, 2007, the unit encountered a mob of angry young men marching towards the city centre, protesting the delay in announcing the presidential results. They had already burnt some vehicles and were poised to burn down a petrol station when they encountered Nthenge.
Given the GSU’s reputation for ruthlessness in quelling riots and demonstrations, and the violent manner in which security forces had dispersed demonstrators in other parts of the city and country, what followed was totally unexpected — and now part of the folklore surrounding the Kenyan crisis.
After he was notified of the award by the UN, Nthenge said: “I am indeed honoured to be selected for this auspicious commendation on behalf of thousands of dedicated and selfless policemen and women who daily put their lives on the line for other Kenyans.”
He added that his guiding principal as a law enforcement officer is “to see the public as our customers and our role is to offer them service. People know their rights and we must respect these rights.”
Nthenge will be honoured at a special ceremony at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the United Nations Complex, Gigiri.
This is the seventh time the UN Family in Kenya has collectively honoured an individual as part of its celebrations of UN Day, which is held every year on Oct. 24. “The United Nations in Kenya Person of the Year” is chosen based on their personal commitment towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This year’s runner-up is Mary Makokha, the driving force behind the Rural Education and Economic Enhancement Program (REEP) in Butula, western Kenya. Beginning without any money or access to donors in 1997, REEP operated under a tree for two years. She also suffered threats of court action for acknowledging that AIDS was prevalent in Butula. Later, she was also excommunicated from the Catholic Church for encouraging the use of condoms. Many people in the community also took offence when she spoke out against widow/widower disinheritance.
Today REEP has 44 support groups of people living with HIV with nearly 5,500 members. REEP has grown from its modest beginning, to a beautiful complex called Firelight House, sponsored by the Firelight Foundation of the US, who recognised Makokha’s inspiring work. The organization has 15 staff in addition to over 1,000 community volunteers.
In a world affected by a complex web of issues — HIV/AIDS, poverty, negative cultural practices and beliefs — the commitment of people, like Makokha, are an example of how communities can change from the inside. Without developing home-grown solutions, the Millennium Development Goals will be much harder to achieve.
Commenting on Mary Makokha, Ms. Klevby said that the UN was also paying tribute to “the many men and women who work tirelessly in their various fields towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in the country. We need role models such as Mary Makokha to help us focus on why achieving the MDGs is so important: it is because it will mean improvements in the daily lives of millions on Kenyans and people around the globe.
The MDGs are a set of achievable development targets, which all Member States of the United Nations have pledged to meet by 2015. Last year, the UN in Kenya honoured Abbas Gullet of the Kenya Red Cross Society as the 2007 “UN in Kenya Person of the Year.”

6 Responses to “Post Poll Skirmishes : UN Honours Kenya GSU Police Officer”

[...] Post Poll Skirmishes : UN Honours Kenya GSU Police Officer By Phil Joseph Musyoka Nthenge employed negotiating skills to avert post presidential election violence The United Nations in Kenya, on the occasion of UN Day on Oct. 24, has decided to award the 2008 ?UN in Kenya Person of the Year? to Acting … Kenya Environmental & Political… –http://kenvironews.wordpress.com/ [...]
There is nothing left for a Police Force governed by laws which stagnates against a dynamic society, ill equiped. They are left with no option but to improvise what is left for their disposal; dispensation of servise to the people.
IAM CORNELIUS KIMBUI AND I STILL THANK THIS OFFICER (JOSEPH NTHENGE) FOLLOWING HIS GOOD WORK.GOD BLESS HIM
What necessary words… super, a magnificent phrase
That is the magic of the rarely used method of dispersing rioters(dialogue).Congrats Mr. Nthenge,you succeeded where the majority have failed

from;http://generationkenya.co.ke

Comments

  1. Ngugi says:
    Hello,
    I write to seek your permission to reproduce the Unusual Hero article in Kenya Weekly newsmagazine, with full credits to your writer and organisation.
    Thanking you in advance,
    Ngugi wa Mbugua
    Editor, Kenya Weekly
    Tel: 254-733-899-227
  2. Michael Kuria Mbogoh says:
    .Last genearal was surrounded by very mysterious circumstances.After announcement of results the competing sides went for each other necks and in the process 250000 people were displaced and 1500 killed.What a shame?
    Kudos to all who struggled tirelessly to ensure that peace prevailed.
    Could it prevail even in days to come.
  3. CORNELIUS KIMBUI says:
    MAY GOD BLESS GSU OFFICER MUSYOKA NTHENGE FOLLOWING HIS RARE EFFORTS HE MADE DURING THE POST ELECTION SKIRMISHES.KEEP IT UP.MAY GOD CROWN YOU WITH HIS GRACES . BY CORNELIUS KIMBUI ,KITENG’EI,KATHIANI
  4. ISRAEL KEMBOI says:
    The officer did a noble thing.This should be emulated by all officers especially the GSU company commanders who are also doing aa excellent job just like the GSU Chief Inspector of police who supervised GSU personel in the succesful destruction of firearms at Uhuru Grdens recently.
  5. joram isika says:
    NTHENGE you made us your neighbours pround.
    keep the fire burning. you are a role model to the young generation in kitengei and mutitu.
    kudos afande

    20 Responses to “The Unusual Kenyan Hero”

    1. By 31337 on Oct 27, 2008
      kudos to him, at least he was recognised. i watched him as he spoke to the group of youths he was supposed to be teargassing and sending back into kibera and thought why did the whole force use the same tack and diplomacy to disperse crowds? he spoke reason.
    2. By Shiko-Msa on Oct 27, 2008
      I remember him well too. I watched him.To think of it if the whole force used the same tact and diplomacy, then things would have been much easier.
    3. By Maua on Oct 27, 2008
      The Force should have mandatory training on communication and reasoning, then tact and diplomacy would be employed.Well done Joseph.
    4. By BP ONE on Oct 28, 2008
      Congrats to Superintendent Joseph Musyoka Nthenge. What really pleased me most was his advice to the youth. He said and I quote “We have built Kenya over along time, why should we destroy it in one day? Why?” As if the gentleman was seeing what was to happen in the following weeks. The Kenya that was built over 40 years was destroyed in matter of days. In reality the officer is not only a hero of different kind but a uniformed Wise man.
    5. By joyunspeakable on Oct 28, 2008
      Now that’s my hero. Watching him talk sense was such bliss. he sud have been the police commissioner
    6. By Shiko on Oct 28, 2008
      True Maua. At some point there they tried to tone down their brutality. there was a time when even mentioning police to a child would make her cringe in fear! The forces at the moment have some human faces thankfully. some are still enjoying the brutality of course but a journey of 100 steps starts with 1.BP, Joy it’s congrats to Nthenge. I still recall that footage. he deserves the prize.
    7. By bOMSEH on Oct 28, 2008
      The one in a million character. Hope others follow the example.
    8. By Pink M on Oct 28, 2008
      I also remember that footage. It was humanity displayed in mayhem. Methinks he should have gotten the honorary degrees, but who am I?Glad he’s got some recognition though.
    9. By Maua on Oct 29, 2008
      Now that BP1 quotes him, I recall the guy. I watched him on 'A song for Peace' in January and the song made me cry.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vvbUFrU7dM&feature=related
    10. By Shiko-Msa on Oct 29, 2008
      Hope so too Bomseh.Pink Kenyans have already honoured him, including us here. He’ll forever live with that honour and he deserves it.Maua thanks for the youtube link. A very touching song indeed. It touches a very deep part of the heart. I’ve heard it before but still somehow never got to watch this version. Watching if from a foreign country it must have been even more so for you. That is Eric Wainaina at his best.
    11. By Anonymous on Oct 29, 2008
      Maua you are right that song made us cry too , especially those days when the future of kenya looked dark.
    12. By Shiko-Msa on Oct 29, 2008
      True Anon. Kwanza the children. Anything involving children is just twice as touching.
    13. By Rafiki on Oct 29, 2008
      Shiko: It is people like these who should indeed be honoured – instead of Kibaki and Raila being given honorary degrees of Doctor of Law. At least I am happy the two were not given the Nobel Peace Prize.
    14. By Anonymous on Oct 29, 2008
      that song on You Tube is giving me goose bumps. I love my country so much after listening to that song. najivunia
    15. By Shiko-Msa on Oct 29, 2008
      Rafiki indeed the doctorates and all that belong to the likes of Nthenge. The fact that someone even mentioned Kibaki and Raila in the whole nobel thing, it feels like the prize is losing it’s prestige?As for the honorary degrees, those ones became cheap a long time ago.2.50 it’s a touching video indeed. Maua thanks.
    16. By ruthleen on Nov 2, 2008
      hi,shiko,thanx for commenting on my blog,tiz new and i think yours is intresting esp.ndoa,come we stay lo!anyway will recommend your blog ,do to mine as well,here inVI it reminds me of mombasa.thanx again
    17. By Shiko-Msa on Nov 3, 2008
      Most welcome Ruthleen. I got there through Neema. The Jeniffer Hudson story was just too touching. Wish her all the grace in this difficult time.
    18. By SupremeGREAM on Nov 3, 2008
      Its been a while since I was around. I guess I blame it on being mobile and I lost my laptop last last week in a almost ghastly situation. I hope the youths he spoke to went to their homes and didnt take part in the chaos again otherwise his efforts would have been to waste. But then again, even if those youths didnt hear him, there many others like me who heeded to his words. Its good to see the police can have afew good men among them.
    19. By Shiko-Msa on Nov 3, 2008
      Yes indeed Greamz. Sorry about your laptop. Hope you did not get hurt in the almost ghastly situation.Nthenge is one of a kind. See what they forces are doing in Mandera.
    20. By Cee on May 18, 2009
      Great post Shiko….he deserves our utmost respect.


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