Excitement, galore as police and residents celebrate “New Year”.

Gatanga OCPD Beatrice Kiraguri jigs to the tune of  'mugithi' with the residents during the police-residents New Year Party at Kirwara Police Divisional headquarters over the weekend.

Tens of residents from Gatanga Sub-County converged at Kirwara Police Division Headquarters on Saturday to celebrate New Year, in a luncheon hosted by the area police departments.

The police had invited the public to share a meal with officers as a way of recognising the importance of productive police-community relationships, and the direct role they play in the police's mission to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

The celebrations included free food, entertainment and an opportunity for community members to interact with the police officers and share useful information promoting their own safety.

Speaking at the event, Gatanga OCPD Beatrice Kiraguri said that the occasion presented the community with an opportunity to meet the officers one-on-one and promote positive communication between local law enforcement and those they serve.

“This is a show of solidarity and unity between the community and law enforcement. By interacting with the people who live here, we offer them an opportunity to see something other than the hard police side of us. The more we are out like this, the better our relationships are with the public,” said the OCPD.

Murang’a Police Commander Ms. Naomi Ichami hailed this gesture and appealed to area residents to cooperate with police officers to curb crime and eradicate the menace of illicit brews in the region.

“This is a very good gesture by Gatanga police and we encourage other officers to follow suit. Otherwise, I would urge the members of public to take advantage of this cordial relationship by assisting our officers to fight crime by serving us with the relevant information,” said Ichami.

“I personally appeal to you to help us rid of those people who are brewing chang’aa along the banks of Chania River as this has been one area that has caused us a lot of headaches,” she added.

The residents we spoke to were very positive with this very new concept and praised the area police of recognising them as part of community.

“Most of us have grown up to know police officers as very bad people and have been so scared of the police that we wouldn’t come to them if there was something wrong. I think this (event) helps to show them as one of us and we will encourage more of such so as to cement our relationship further,” said Njoroge Wa Njung’e, a bodaboda rider who hails from Ithanga division.

Police officer nationally have been subjected to intense scrutiny in recent years for controversial arrests and shootings. Such incidents have led people to fear or lose confidence in their police officers and have set off fierce debates over police brutality and the safety of both officers and the public.

The Saturday’s event, the police donated foodstuffs and other household items to Furaha Children’s Home in Mabanda village as their way of giving back to the community.

Officers who had served with diligence and dedication were also rewarded for their good work.