A traffic cop was famous for rejecting bribes. He was honoured in 2017 but was never promoted, though other public servants were.
Why?
An environmentalist based in Narok, has urged the government to promote 2017 Public Servant of the Year, traffic officer corporal David Chumo, for outstanding performance.
Robinson Torome said it is shameful that five years after the ceremony the officer's work has not been recognised and he has not been promoted.
“The police service is known for the collection of bribes but when one officer does such a great work and even goes to an extent of rejecting bribes, he should be promoted for portraying the service in good light,” Torome.
He petitioned for the traffic officer's promotion to Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, Police IG Hillary Mutyambai, deputy Edward Mbugua and NPS chairman Eliud Kinuthia.
Speaking to the Star on phone, Torome said police officers should be promoted based on merit to motivate them to continue serving Kenyans with all their hearts. And to motivate other policemen and women.
“All the other public servants who were awarded along with the police officer in the ceremony have been promoted for their exemplary work, why not Chumo?" Torome asked.
Following the award, Chumo's first runner-up Olivia Obel, assistant commissioner of prisons in charge of Langata Women's Maximum Security Prison, was promoted to senior assistant commissioner of prisons.
Jenniffer Wangari, a senior children's officer with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection was third. She was promoted to chief children's officer (Job Group M).
The promotions were recommendations from the office Commission of Administrative Justice, the Ombudsman.
Also, former Isiolo county commissioner George Natembeya was feted and promoted to regional commissioner in charge of Rift Valley.
Nominated MP David ole Sankok had written to then Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, requesting him to promote this traffic honest traffic officer.
“The work done by this officer is enough for him to be promoted, what else is the National Police Service looking for from him to be recognised? Sankok asked.
He added that public servants from other government departments who were with Chumo during the fete, have all been promoted to senior positions but the officer’s work has not been recognized by the National Police Service since that award.
During the third edition of the ceremony in 2017, Chumo, who was based in Bomet at that time, was selected among other top civil servants.
The Commission of Administrative Justice awarded the traffic policeman as the winner, in the individual category, of the 2017 Ombudsman Huduma Awards
He was cited for “upholding integrity in public service, selflessness and going beyond the call of duty to promote the rule of law,” as the plaque he received stated.
The event was attended by then Attorney General Githu Muigai.
During the inaugural Huduma Award in 2014, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that only those public servants who deliver are rewarded by promotion and career progression in the civic service.
Those who are not committed are are weeded out to make room for other Kenyans who want to serve.
Chumo also received another presidential award, The Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), during Mashujaa Day 2018.
During his service in Narok county, he received three commendations from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and two commendations from good work for Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) honoured Chumo with the award issued by Deliverance Kenya Bishop Mark Kariuki in Nakuru in August 2018.
In 2017, the officer impressed the National Police Service vetting panel led by then chairman Johnstone Kavuludi in Kisumu when he showed how he went beyond the call of duty to assist the less fortunate.
He also helped fight poaching and conserved the environment, especially the Mau forest.
Chumo, who is currently based in Kisii county, has now set a record in the National Police Service for being the first police officer in Kenya to be the public servant of the year.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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