A man who has been living on top of a tree near Machakos Law Courts in Machakos was on Sunday rescued from his temporary dwelling place by a police officer.
In a rare show of humanity, Officer Moses Kimenju, a dedicated police officer and addiction counselor, travelled from his job post at the Kenya Police Headquarters in Nairobi to Machakos (61.7 kilometers away) to save the man, known as Joseph Nthuli.
The officer revealed that he was motivated by his goal of saving people in similar situations, most of whom are afflicted by addiction.
''I have been following on local news about Joseph who has been staying on this tree here in Machakos and I immediately interpreted this as stress and I have also seen that he must be having a very big problem,’’ Kimenju revealed.
''I serve at the police headquarters in Nairobi and being an additional counsellor, many citizens have been living with disturbing conditions including stress, some use drugs and some have mental issues,’’ he added.
According to local reports, the man (Joseph Nthuli) was allegedly forced to make a temporary shelter on top of the tree after he was displaced from his business place that was also serving as his home.
''The officer came and informed me why he wanted me to come. I informed him about my business container that was taken away from me,’’ Nthuli told the media after the rescue.
''I also told him of how a woman here known as Mary together with some local administrators from the chief’s office tormented me by taking away my business place,’’ he added.
Nthuli revealed that he had been living on the tree top since February this year when he was ejected from his business premises.
He now wants local authorities to help him access justice by bringing to book those who contributed to his poor condition.
''Since then, that is around February of this year, I was forced to come and make a temporary home here. I have asked him to ensure the arrest of the suspects because I believe that there is law,’’ he requested.
The officer revealed that he will now embark on a plan to save Nthuli from his condition by helping him get access to health support facilities. He also added that he will see that the man gets a decent home so that he does not go back to his earlier condition.
