A police officer stationed at Embali Police Station in Emuhaya, Vihiga County, has taken extraordinary steps to transform his home village of Kaunda in Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County. John Nyongesa, a dedicated public servant and native of the area, is building a brighter future for the less fortunate by establishing a school and a healthcare center.
Nyongesa’s efforts challenge the common perception of police officers in the community. Beyond his policing duties, he is also a devoted servant of God, striving to uplift his village through education and healthcare.
“We want to show the public that police officers are human beings just like them. Not all police officers are bad. Many of us are doing commendable work in our communities,” Nyongesa stated.
During a prayer ceremony for the opening of the school, Nyongesa urged the community to support his initiatives. Highlighting the challenges faced by some students, he emphasized the need for a school feeding program to ensure learners can focus on their education.
“Some learners in this school love being in class, but they struggle due to lack of meals. We are calling on well-wishers to support our feeding program,” he appealed.
Nyongesa’s journey of community transformation began in 2012 when he founded the Shalom Compassion Mission. Inspired by his own upbringing in a polygamous family where education was a challenge, he took a personal loan of 45,000 Kenyan Shillings from the police SACCO to start the mission.
“I started with seven students. Now, we are supporting 300 students. Looking at my community, many people still need help, and we are determined to do more,” he explained.
In addition to the school, Nyongesa announced plans to launch a medical center within the institution. The facility will provide free healthcare services to the students, further addressing the community’s needs.
Navakholo West Education officer, Regina Nafula, confirmed that the school is officially registered and has been operational since 2012. “The school currently hosts approximately 300 students, and we are confident it will continue to grow and serve the community effectively,” Nafula said.
Nyongesa’s efforts, supported by local leaders such as Navakholo Deputy OCS Joshua Abach, have brought hope and a sense of renewal to Kaunda Village. His mission is to inspire lasting change and improve the lives of his community members through compassion and service.
