Cop Moses Kimenju talking to Joseph Nthuli on the latter's residence a top a tree in Machakos County on November 8, 2024.Joseph Nthuli had for several months turned one of the trees into his home.
The man who was living on the tree next to the Machakos Courts within Machakos Township was rescued by a cop on Friday.
The tree on which he lived after turning it into a house is located between the said court and Machakos Police Station.
Moses Kimenju, a counselor attached to the Kenya Police Service Headquarters in Nairobi said the man would be taken to a rehabilitation centre for counseling and necessary actions before being re-integrated into society.
“I am an addiction counselor, attached at the Directorate of Counseling and Sampling in the police headquarters. Lots of members of the public have issues to do with stress, drugs and substance abuse. Some live pathetic lives,” Kimenju told reporters during the rescue mission.
Nthuli claimed he turned the tree into his home after a container he was living in was turned into a food kiosk by some individuals.
“The police officer came and asked me what happened. I told him about that container, how it was taken and converted to a hotel, how I lost my land to my relatives in Kathiani Subcounty, the reason I resorted to living on the tree,” Nthuli said.
The officer climbed the tree and talked to Nthuli before convincing him to get down for more talks.
Nthuli, having been convinced by the lone officer, agreed to be assisted by the cop to bring all his belongings down the tree and leave the scene for a rehabilitation centre.
Among his belongings on the tree that were brought down and confiscated were bedding, cookery, utensils, and clothes, among other personal effects.
“I have been watching the news on Joseph’s plight living on the tree in the news. The first thing, that’s stress. So, as a civil servant, I had to come and assist the area OCS, county police commander and county commissioner. I must help the government,” Kimenju said.
“Many people might fail to understand the challenges this man goes through. It’s just stress. But, if we help the OCS by removing from the tree so that a hose is built for him, he lives a dignified livelihood, and life continues.
"That’s why I have come to rescue him, he will be taken to rehabilitation and once he heals, we can be able to help him,” Kimenju said.
Kimenju retaliated that most Kenyans see police officers only as wrongdoers, yet there are their better versions like the rescue which people can’t see.
“Like in this case, among our core functions is to save lives and property. This doesn’t involve only firearms, but even talking to people to hear you. I climbed the tree and talked to this man and he has come down. Now, we are here. We are in the healing process,” he said.
He added, “First of all, he has no shoes, he isn’t clean and he is sick. He needs help since he is important. He says he has no family, no home, and has been here for 16 years.”
Nthuli’s rescue comes barely a fortnight since Machakos County police commander Patrick Lobolia promised to grant necessary assistance.
Lobolia said as the Kenya Police Service, they would talk to the man and get him from the streets soonest.
“The man is very friendly and resourceful. He gives information to our officers and at times collects firewood around and sells them to those running food kiosks within the town for cash to buy food,” Lobolia told the Star.
He said OCS Machakos Police Station had earlier been tasked by his office to ensure that the man was protected and fed.
“The OCS ensures that he eats, we will find a permanent solution to his situation in a few days' time,” Lobolia said.
