Nairobi’s superhero police officer awarded head of state commendation
A police officer who was feted by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday was awarded the head of state commendation.
Mr Joash Ombati, an officer attached to the Westlands Administrative police station, hit the headlines after he was filmed single-handedly chasing a taxi and arresting two suspects who had conned a man Sh400,000.
In the dramatic video, which could as well be straight from the scene in a Hollywood movie, the officer is seen shooting in the air, ordering the suspects out of the car before arresting them.
However, he is forced to stop an angry mob baying for the blood of the two suspects who had thrown their victim Mr Amos Charo out of their speeding car and into the tarmac.
It is for this heroic action that Dr Matiang’i recommended the officer.
RESCUE MISSION
In March this year, Mr Joash Ombati was yet again involved in another heroic rescue mission.
On this particular occasion he and another officer stormed a Kangemi-bound matatu and rescued more than 50 passengers from three armed robbers.
The scene turned from that of wailing passengers to a calm situation with the three robbers in handcuffs.
During the incident, Mr Ombati and his colleague recovered two pistols with two rounds of ammunition.
At the time of the dramatic rescue, the suspects had already robbed a number of passengers valuables and cash.
STING OPERATION
After the Waiyaki way incident, Saturday Nation established that the feted officer again in September 3, led others in intercepting a stolen motor vehicle, Harrier model along Waiyaki way.
Four suspects were arrested during the sting operation.
Then last month the officer single-handedly recovered one sack of cannabis sativa worth Sh2 million and arrested the suspects.
Mr Ombati’s good deeds in his line of duty can be traced to 2013 while he was serving at Korogocho police post when he confronted a group of thugs and recovered a homemade pistol capable of firing two rounds of ammunition.