The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Mashujaa day honoured one of its retired officers that was attached to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) for his gallant service.
In a statement Thursday, October 20, the DCI hailed Robert Omwoha for going beyond the call of duty and placing his life on the line for the safety of Kenyans.
His journey in the security sector began in 2003 when he joined ATPU and was posted in Mombasa County.
In 2012, Omwoha and other officers were pursuing terror suspects linked to the Al Shabaab militia group when they were attacked with grenades.
"Multiple scars on his head and chest are a stark reminder of his near-tragic encounter with Al-Shabaab militia while he was posted in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa.
"Corporal Robert Omwoha, who had been attached to DCI’s Anti-Terror Police Unit since 2003, almost paid the ultimate price when the terrorists he was pursuing, launched an attack. On October 17, 2012, Omwoha and his colleagues were on the receiving end when terrorists they had arrested at Likoni in Mombasa, hurled grenades at them, with the impact almost ripping his chest apart," read the statement in part.
During the ordeal, one of the officers lost his life while Omwoha survived after suffering head and chest injuries.
Eight years later, in 2020, the officer was also involved in a grisly accident while on duty attached to the ATPU office in Busia County.
"After the life threatening encounters, he underwent multiple surgeries and got 250 stitches to rehabilitate him and bring him back to life.
"Doctors had told him that he had minimal chances of survival if the dangerous shards of metal were removed from his body," the statement added.
Today, Omwoha lives with dark tracks of stitches and multiple scars that crisscross his arms, legs chest and face.
He walks with the help of crutches and does not regret ever joining the Police service.
