"Was heading to aar at sarit, since im sick at around 8p.m (I thought
it would be open, but im now told they close at 6) trying my luck
anyway.
So I see a car being checked near the entrace, the usual
drill at all malls, which I support very much, after all it is for
our safety. I pull up behind the car, and I was surprised to see
cops searching the car and not the usual mall security. Patiently
waiting, a cop comes to my car, I roll down the window and guess
what's the first thing he says? No " salamu boss" he calls his
coleagues and says "ndio hawa materrorist tunawatafuta"(These are
the terrorists we are looking for!). Yes I
have a beard, and apparently, thats what "terrorism" is based on.
I produce my I.d and driving licence, both original and got through
the right way. Without even having a proper look, he says both are
fake. Then puts his hand through the window, unlocks the doors and
all the "cops" jump into my car. I cant recall the number of times I
was called a terrorist, and the guys "behind the westgate attack."
I tried to argue my case, im still am a student but they heard non
of it. So they tell me to drive to kasarani, but since I was already
near the sarit centre barrier, I wanted to get in knowing id buy
time to call someone. Well I was threatened at that point, one of
them saying "kijana ukiingia ndani, utalala ndaani leo, hebu
jaribu" harassment!!
Luckily I made some calls and a few family and friends came to
talk to them. Obviously there weren't going home with nothing,
asked for 5k and finally agreed on 3k since I didnt have much on
me.
So I ask you, is this how kenya will combat terrorism? Is this how
citizens are extorted just to keep them safe? And if they catch A
GENUINE SUSPECT, is 3k or 5k all it takes to get another chance to
kill peoople? (Yes I paid up, having no option because they just
wanted to get money)
Finally, after they left me near nakumatt ukay, since I had gone
to withdraw money from mpesa, a concerned citizen asked me to get
their no (badge no. Or id no.), so as the people around could be
saved from the extortion. At first the cop denied having any on
him, and while I was persistent he threatened me by saying he could
still proceed and lock me up.
And there you go, that's the KENYA POLICE for you. A mockery to
our security. And I tried getting a few snaps, but I cant find any
clear picture on my phone."
have a beard, and apparently, thats what "terrorism" is based on.
I produce my I.d and driving licence, both original and got through
the right way. Without even having a proper look, he says both are
fake. Then puts his hand through the window, unlocks the doors and
all the "cops" jump into my car. I cant recall the number of times I
was called a terrorist, and the guys "behind the westgate attack."
I tried to argue my case, im still am a student but they heard non
of it. So they tell me to drive to kasarani, but since I was already
near the sarit centre barrier, I wanted to get in knowing id buy
time to call someone. Well I was threatened at that point, one of
them saying "kijana ukiingia ndani, utalala ndaani leo, hebu
jaribu" harassment!!
Luckily I made some calls and a few family and friends came to
talk to them. Obviously there weren't going home with nothing,
asked for 5k and finally agreed on 3k since I didnt have much on
me.
So I ask you, is this how kenya will combat terrorism? Is this how
citizens are extorted just to keep them safe? And if they catch A
GENUINE SUSPECT, is 3k or 5k all it takes to get another chance to
kill peoople? (Yes I paid up, having no option because they just
wanted to get money)
Finally, after they left me near nakumatt ukay, since I had gone
to withdraw money from mpesa, a concerned citizen asked me to get
their no (badge no. Or id no.), so as the people around could be
saved from the extortion. At first the cop denied having any on
him, and while I was persistent he threatened me by saying he could
still proceed and lock me up.
And there you go, that's the KENYA POLICE for you. A mockery to
our security. And I tried getting a few snaps, but I cant find any
clear picture on my phone."
After Robert Alai posted the above story on his Facebook page, one fan commented;
"On Monday I was in Staff Bus and we passed thru Eastleigh, the
bus was stopped a bee of police trooped in and every1 was told to
produce their Ids I and two other guys didnt have any and we were
whisked away to Kasarani. We talked our way out via 5K the three of us.
We didnt have any beards, any somali looks nor islamic tendencies.
Extortion is Real. How those police handled us. I swear its very easy
for me to become a terrorist"
