This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
On 12 December 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta conferred the Head of State Commendation (HSC) award on Police Constable Jairus Mulumia at State House Nairobi.
Mulumia, a soft-spoken police officer with a passion for education, was awarded for his unique contribution to society. He had traded his gun for chalk to teach children in Marsabit, an insecurity-prone region.
Constable Mulumia was posted to Forole Primary School in Marsabit to protect the institution. However, he took it upon himself to teach the pupils when he noticed that some teachers were missing due to insecurity.
He later said that he noticed Grade Five pupils were idle and decided to act, teaching mathematics just days after eleven people had been killed by suspected Ethiopian militants.
Constable Mulumia's photo while teaching in his combat gear went viral on social media in September. He was later recognised during the Public Service Commission annual excellence awards.
Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua said that Mulumia's name would be forwarded to the President and be recommended for an award so that he becomes a role model for others.
During an interview with the Daily Nation in September, Mulumia noted that teachers posted to the area failed to show up due to rising insecurity and he decided to volunteer after discovering pupils were still coming to school.
