By Kuria Kimani
The National Police Service has a compensation initiative in place to encourage police officers to take up higher education. Despite the minimum entry qualification of D+ (D Plus) mean score in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), some police officers have scaled up their education while still in service. In this article we will look at one of these inspirational officers, Lucas Esekon, a police constable whose passion and academic credentials in Disaster Management will inspire you.
Lucas Esekon’s Early Education background
Lucas successfully completed his Primary school education at Kaputir Primary school, located in Kaputir Constituency, Turkana South Location, Kainuk Division within Turkana County in 1996. He would later join Gidea Secondary school Kwanza near Kitale Town, Kwanza Constituency in Trans Nzoia County where he sat for KCSE in the year 2000 scoring a mean grade of C+. He went on to join the National Police Service in 2004. Indeed, the challenges he encountered along the way did not dim Esekon’s star and passion to push his academic limits and fulfil his dream.
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His Journey to Higher Learning
Esekon’s dedication for higher learning led him to start his Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Security Management at Dedan Kimathi University. Mark you this was years after completing his Secondary school education and already as a seasoned police officer. He specialized in Loss Prevention Technology and graduated with a Second Class Honours.
In April 2016, Esekon was inspired by his lecturer to enrol for his Master of Science (Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance) at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MMUST). It is important to note that Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance is emerging globally as a full-fledged academic discipline that demands specialisation to meet with the ever-dynamic challenges posed by disasters.
Esekon graduated three years later in December 2019. The journey to higher learning would not end there as in 2020 he enrolled to pursue his Doctorate degree, PhD, in the same field at the same institution.
Other Professional Certification
Lucas earned his Certification In Strategic Management & Leadership for The Kenya Institute Of Management. According to the institute, this course is intended for Supervisors, Managers, HODS, Team Leaders, Business Owners as well as County Managers, Leaders and Executives who seek to translate Institutional strategy into effective operational performance.
Also Read: Most Educated Police Officers In Kenya
His Work, Life and Education Balance
But how has Esekon managed to strike a balance and made time to pursue his studies amidst his policing career which is very demanding? In fact, he highlighted that his work as a police constable takes eight hours of his day!
In a recent interview with WoK, Esekon credits this commendable success to emulating good role models, good mentorship, remaining focused, sacrifice, proper time management and having a positive can-do attitude saying, “In life you must get destiny helpers. I was mentored by Dr. Musyoki Mutungi, PhD, who is currently the Bungoma County Commander and Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, PhD, currently a lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MMUST). The two will always remain to be my role models.”
Lucas Esekon’s Policing Career
Esekon was enlisted to the National Police service the year 2004 and joined the Kenya Police College in Kiganjo. As of today, he is experienced in his line of work and has served for 17 years. Esekon is currently a Police Constable based at the Kilimani Police station in the Accident Investigation section.
Esekon’s Academic research work, Publications and Social contribution
The passionate constable published an article, “EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON SOCIOECONOMIC WELL BEING OF HOUSEHOLDS IN AN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF MUKURU NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA” while still pursuing his studies in 2013. In addition, his PhD dissertation was about “INCORPORATING THE ROLE OF THE SOCIETY IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT.” Esekon emphasises on how the skills gained from his 17 years of policing career and the stellar academic qualifications, have impacted and guided him to resonate better with members of the public.
He has always used this knowledge to impact the society and the Police service positively saying, “ I want to be part of the solution to the community and the Police Service at large.” He added that he has never shied from spreading this experience and knowledge to the society saying, “I am giving back to the society the same knowledge whenever I get an opportunity.”
