Senior Police Preaching In Funerals, Crusades Opens Up About Life: "I Got Saved After Plane Crash"

• Joseph Ongaya, Koibatek sub-county police commander, said he devoted his life fully to God after getting involved in a plane crash
• Ongaya disclosed that he has never taken bribes for the over 30 years he has been in the police force, with different promotions
• He called upon citizens to help in ending corruption in the country, stating that the officers in the act do not exchange bribes within themselves but with Kenyans

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Baringo - Joseph Ongaya is a famous face in police uniform and a staunch preacher who, by the grace of God, has converted colleagues with a firm grip to the bottle and those who were lost in corruption and brought them to the fold of Christ.

Why did Ongaya dedicate his life to God?

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Ongaya, Koibatek sub-county police commander, Baringo county, said he devoted his life to God after experiencing life hurdles since childhood.

"I got saved in Turkana after being involved in a plane crash in 2009. The plane crashed at a slaughterhouse next to Kapsabet stadium, a few minutes after taking off from Eldoret. That was a significant challenge because I had carried two guns, but they couldn't help me. Again, my family had lost five out of nine children. I was so convinced that I was going to die in the accident because we were still coming to terms with the deaths.

Again, am somebody who never tested breastmilk. I went through a lot to survive. With all the experiences, after two plane crashes, I knew that God wanted me to spread His Good News," Ongaya stated.

The officer has been spreading the gospel in various places, including funerals, crusades, and staff meetings with his seniors.

As per his narration, some state officials and his senior colleagues have been wondering about his true love for God.

"I do my work diligently as a police officer. I hold my gun on the left and the Bible in my right hand. Senior government officials keep on asking how a person of my rank in the profession would keep on confessing Jesus Christ. I also do tell them that if they wanted to arrest me, then they should just lure me with a sermon. I will rush because when it comes to proclaiming the word, I do not waste a second," said Ongaya.

How do you relate to rogue officers?

Ongaya revealed that serving as a police officer is part of God's calling. According to him, the National Police Service should be a reflection of God's work. In his argument, police are mandated to serve humanity, which is also service to God.

The officer quoted Jeremiah 6:6 to emphasise the need for officers to choose the right path.

"I tell them we are all called to serve. Service to humanity is service to God, and the National Police Service is called to serve humanity. In every profession, I do tell people that they are called to serve, so you either work towards getting blessings or attract curses. You choose what best suits you.

It is our individual choice to attract blessings or curses. Bribes have only negative repercussions. Our lives are beyond us. Think of your family before getting involved in criminal activities. Jeremiah 6:6 ought to be their guide," he suggested.

He called upon Kenyans and the police department to work towards taking the department to another level.

"Corruption is two-way traffic. The giver and the taker. You cannot blame the officers wholesomely. They take bribes from nonuniformed Kenyans who later accuse them of the crime; I think the change begins with citizens."

Are their officers who got converted through you?

"Yes. Some of my colleagues were deeply buried in the brown bottle. I called them, and fortunately, they came with their spouses. Some of them could not even be found at their residences. All their salaries were channelled to alcohol. But I thank God because, through His grace, some of the officers will retire with well-established homes after accepting to completely drop the bottles and focus on God and work. Actually, up to date, people still ask me what I gave them."

Have you ever taken bribes?

The preacher said he has never taken bribes since he got into the police force in 1992.

"For over 30 years, I have never taken bribes. I easily detect bribes. However, I have heard people complain of losing opportunities, especially during police recruitment. You give somebody a letter of admission, but they start crying because you have issued it to them for free," he said.