A week after Buruburu Police Station received an award from the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) for being the best in Nairobi and the second best countrywide, a tour to the station revealed interesting details about the facility.
Buruburu has a high level of cleanliness with a continuous supply of clean tap water uncommon in many stations.
Juveniles, male, female and mentally-ill offenders are kept in separate cells clean, well lit and ventilated compared to other detention facilities and the inmates are allowed to bask out in the sun whenever the cells get too cold.
“We have casuals who clean the entire facility from 5 am every day. During that time, the remandees bask in an enclosed open roof space,” said the station’s Officer Commanding Police Division Geoffrey Mayek.
Mr Mayek highlighted that the inmates get three meals a day and are allowed to get food from outside in order to cater for those who are on a special diet.
He also noted that there is a well-kept child protection area fully equipped with playing materials and separate rooms for male and female juveniles.
The area is manned by a female officer dressed in civilian clothes to avoid frightening the children.
At the reception area of the station, there is a large banner that reads, “If not satisfied, please do not leave without speaking with the officer-in-charge.”
'I always encourage my staff to refer cases that they cannot handle to a more experienced officer. We also encourage them to be people-friendly to create a working environment, Buruburu police officers are very polite and efficient," Mr Mayek noted.
IPOA and Rotary Club of Nairobi initiated the Outstanding Police Service Awards in 2014 to motivate officers.
