Video of frustrated police officer calling out DP Gachagua for neglect worries Kenyans

A video of a police officer haranguing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he terms as neglect has kicked off a conversation on X.

In the undated video, the officer starts off his almost-teary diatribe by directly addressing the Deputy President as he explicitly explains his devastation as a senior driver in the police force.

While mincing no words, the unnamed officer rants on, blaming Gachagua for his woes and even daringly expressing that he is not afraid of any repercussions.

"Mr. Gachagua, deputy president, this is for you. I'm a senior driver. Kutoka 2008 nimekuwa driver. Na saa hii nalala hapa chini, sina blanketi," he says while pointing to the bare floor.

"Mr. Gachagua, this is direct to you, na sikuogopi. You failed us as police officers. I've trained as a police officer for the last 12 years as a driver kutoka Isiolo..."

He added: "Nimeendesha Joseph Kanyiri, a very senior officer in the government na mimi hata corporal sijapata. Do you think it's worth (it)? Kwa sababu sina mtu kutoka Karatina anaweza nishika mkono, I'm just useless? Wakikuyu tutasaidika saa ngapi?"

In a teary voice, the officer continues delving into his despair, saying that he had survived for years without a salary and that his wife had been his saving grace.

He further adds that he was not seeking to be helped, saying that if any help would be forthcoming, he would wish that it would be directed to his wife.

"I don't vote and I will never vote. Usinisaidie mimi, in my family, if you can help, just help my wife. My wife was there for me, she has been there for me, she will always be there for me," he says.

"Gachagua you should get this, mimi sina mshahara. My wife has supported me for the last seven years because I don't have a salary..."

The video, which was shared by social commentator Gabriel Oguda as well as journalist Saddique Shaban, resonated with hundreds of people who left supportive comments with many calling for urgent intervention in the officer's plight.

While some have castigated him for his contemptuous attack on the Deputy President, and his somewhat harsh delivery, many have urged the authorities to look into the officer's woes before the worst happens.

While commenting on X, one user said, "In the disciplined forces, this is suicidal and chances are he will be dismissed. But Gachagua can take it in stride and make him a driver in his docket..."

Another user said, "I feel for this man. He says 'help my wife, not me'. That sounds like someone who has resigned to fate and is not afraid of losing it all. Someone check on this man. This is a cry for help!"

On his part, Macharia Ngethe said, "I hate the fact that he appears drunk here, which might invalidate his point. However, this is very sad...and there are many in that predicament... promotions in KE are unheard off if you are honest and hardworking... Unfortunate!"

In a 2016 interview with the Nation, Prof Oscar Githua, a forensic psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the United States International University in Nairobi, said he believed that police had been neglected, both by the society and the government.

"They are people who need to live with people like any other person but the society perceives them differently. We speak to them rudely, we do not hear them out and their pay does not measure up to the risk and danger they are exposed to," said the lecturer then.

"When he leaves for work, a police officer never knows whether he will see his children later. He is not sure he will return. Many a times, they see their colleagues being killed and they are the ones to clean the mess. This really takes a toll on them."

Kenya Security agencies will have to deal with increasing cases of officers misusing social media.

This one, frustrated and visibly inebriated, called out the Deputy President Rigathi #Gachagua in a late night TikTok rant, asking for promotion for himself and his wife. https://t.co/21fpxPDWLK pic.twitter.com/cw6R5HJZck— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) February 29, 2024