In a move aimed at supporting police officers living with disabilities, Kenya Re-insurance Corporation Limited (Kenya Re) has donated some 73 mobility and assistive devices.
The event held at Embakasi ‘A’ Campus, Utawala, in Nairobi on Thursday, saw a section of leaders attend led by the Chief Guest Kenya Reinsurance limited Chief Executive Officer Hillary Maina, Inspector of National Police Service General Douglas Kanja, Deputy IG of Police Gilbert Masengeli, among other security leaders.
The disabled officers received the advanced equipment, which is aimed at supporting the officers who live with a variety of ailments and disabilities while they perform their duties more diligently.
The officers, the majority of whom, had sustained injuries in the field while executing their duties, expressed their gratitude to the sponsor for distributing the devices to them adding that the equipment would provide essential support to them.
Some varying disabilities the officers grappled with included visual impairments and mobility challenges, while others had injury-related issues.
“Personally, I was not expecting what took place today. I thank the IG (Douglas Kanja) who has supported me in rehabilitation of my leg, and very soon, within the course of next week, I will be back on the move,” said one of the Kenya Reinsurance beneficiaries.
“That is a clear indication that the officers who experience walking difficulties in police stations are going to be assisted.”
He further expressed gratitude to the donor for the medical equipment, noting that the financial strain of purchasing costly assistive devices had been alleviated.
The assistive devices provided included white canes, prosthetic legs, electric wheel chairs, and crutches, which were custom made to address the unique areas of need per individual in accordance with the ailments the officers were facing.
Speaking during the event, Kenya Reinsurance CEO Hillary Maina lauded the move that led to the donation, attributing it to the strong partnership between the financial company and the police service.
“Delivering assistive and mobility devices to the National Police Service is one of our many activities under Niko Fiti, which is our anchor corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects,” Maina said.
“Today we restore dignity and freedom to all those police officers by empowering them, giving them some resilience, and appreciating the good work they do in securing the nation.”
The Niko Fiti Campaign is a flagship CSR initiative of Kenya Reinsurance Corporation, which has supported the lives of over 8,500 persons living with disabilities (PWD).
They have benefited through the receipt of assistive and mobility devices since its inception in 2011.
IG Kanja expressed appreciation to the Re-insurance company and applauded their strategic partnership, adding that it reaped more benefits to the officers who grappled with various challenges in their line of work.
“Most of the injuries of the police officers are directly associated with policy duties, and as such, we cannot afford to neglect them. They are our heroes, and we need to celebrate them,” Kanja stated.
The Police IG reminisced during the previous year when Kenya Re, through its group Managing Editor Hillary Wachinga, demonstrated their support to the service by donating several assistive devices.
He added that the gesture laid the groundwork, after which field assessment of officers with various challenges was done.
“These devices will significantly improve their quality of
life by granting the officers the much-needed abilities, thus restoring their
independence to a great extent,” Kanja said.
The security agency further called on more organizations and well-wishers to continue extending support to the officers facing challenges, emphasizing that such assistance would motivate them in their line of duty.
