BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
Police constable Caroline Makena has received two state-of-the-art sewing machines from the Professional Criminologist Association of Kenya.
This is an appreciation for her efforts in fighting Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, PCAK promised to award Makena for her determination and selflessness after the association learnt about her through the media.
She is stationed at Tot police station in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
She came to the limelight after she made facemasks using her savings and distributed them for free to her colleagues and villagers in Marakwet-East subcounty.
She used a sewing machine she hired from a resident.
Speaking to Hot News on phone, Health minister Mutahi Kagwe described Makena’s initiative as fantastic.
” I am hearing this for the first time from you. I am very supportive, it is fantastic. Everyone should be able to make their own face masks.” Kagwe said.
Makena shared her joy with Hot News on Wednesday when she received the machines and materials for making facemasks.
“I thank the association’s leadership, members and other well-wishers including my immediate bosses who facilitated my transportation to Nairobi in a police land cruiser.” She said.
Makena,29 is a trained fashion designer from Meru National Polytechnic where she trained for two years before joining Kiganjo Police College in 2015.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degre at Mount Kenya University.
She challenged fellow police officers to go an extra mile beyond their job descriptions to serve the public.
“Do not just stick to your job descriptions, go an extra mile and make an impact. Do not just think of what you can get from someone but think of what others can get from you.” Makena said.
Addressing the press during the handing over ceremony at PCAK offices in Nairobi, the Association’s founding chairman Munene Mugambi said Makena has demonstrated service to humanity.
“Her sacrifice will be remembered for many years to come.” he said.
Mugambi was accompanied by the association’s legal counsel Gitobu Imanyara and other officials including the director of programmes and liaison Vrinda Sharma.
He thanked the Inspector general of Police Edward Mbugua for his support.
Sharma urged Makena to use the donation for the benefit of the society.
“We appreciate the goodness in her. She is a generous and a wonderful human being.” Sharma said.
Lawyer Gitobu Imanyara described Makena as a good example of a public servant who used her office and uniform to serve humanity instead of enriching herself.
“We as PCAK are honored to have her as one of our members.” Gitobu told Hot News.
The renown human rights defender and former Imenti Central legislature said the officer has enhanced public image of the National Police Service as provided for in both the constitution and the National Police Act.
Gitobu said, “Makena is a very final example of what public service entails. Rather than use her office to exploit poor wananchi in a remote part of Kenya -she used it to their advantage.
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Meet 29-year-old Police officer Caroline Makena sewing masks to help fight Covid-19