Thread by @RiazGilani

[THREAD] So, there's a syndicate of crooks in #Kenya who have been cloning vehicle registration plates, and using random vehicles to commit crimes.

A few months ago, i had tweeted about being paid a visit at my place of business by two smartly dressed plain-clothes police officers and a Chinese national.

They said that they had "evidence" that a vehicle registered to me was involved in a house-breaking in Kilimani.

I was shown still images from CCTV footage showing a vehicle which bore the IDENTICAL registration as one registered to me.

However, the model of the vehicle was different. It was a Mark X. My vehicle is not a Mark X.

It should have ended there. NOT THE SAME CAR, BUT NOOOOO...

The Chinese national then whipped out his smartphone and showed me photos of two men who allegedly broke into his apartment.

"Do you know these men?" He asked me.

WTF was this jamaa to interrogate me anyway? That's the job of the policemen right?

"No, I don't know them," I replied.

"Are you sure? Look carefully."

Foolish man.

So the cops asked me to show them a pic of the car and logbook, which I organised from the Mrs who had access to details and was able to send me photos PDQ.

(Pretty damn quick)

So, this should have ended right there as a case of mistaken identity right?

Not so fast.

Apparently, the vehicle registration number had been "circulated countrywide" and there was the imminent risk of the use of firearms against the vehicle and its occupants.

There was a procedure to be followed to "de-circulate" the vehicle.

Meanwhile, we had a target on our backs.

Procedure was that we would have to physically take the vehicle to the station where the original crime was committed, so that details could be taken and verified and "de-circulated"

However, it was agreed that we could take said vehicle to a station closest to us for verification, because of the very real risk of that "target on our backs" - and that verification would be passed on to the originating station for "de-circulation"

Vehicle was taken to the nearest station and it was verified that the details all matched the logbook, and all was A-okay.

That the officer who verified would then send details to his colleagues at the originating station for "de-circulation" and assurances that this was done.

This was November 2017.

Stay tuned. Kuna story hapa.

Why is there a large display of Exodus 20: 3-17 on the wall of this place?

When the original officers paid me a visit in Nov 2017 it was drama-free. They simply looked up the reg no of the car on the KRA/NTSA portal and found ownership details. They had my phone number and were able to track me down to my place of work.

Truly drama-free. They politely walked in and conducted themselves in a very civil manner. Technology is a truly wonderful thing. Tracked via my mobile cellular device. Lovely.

So, imagine my utter surprise to receive a panic-stricken phone call from Mrs Gilani who was on her way home with our 23 month old daughter.

At least three police vehicles, at least a dozen armed police officers, some in plain-clothes. They surrounded her vehicle, and pointed their firearms at her and our baby daughter. In broad daylight.

They then loudly ordered her to exit the vehicle (still at gunpoint). Let me mention here that Mrs Gilani is visibly expectant. Firearms still pointed at the vehicle, which at this point contains the 23 month old child strapped in her car seat.

Senior officer present at the scene. Armed officers proceed to loudly enter the vehicle and then instructed my [visibly pregant and now in tears] wife to drive to the nearest police station which was round the corner.

Meanwhile I was receiving phone calls from concerned friends who were witnessing the drama unfolding.

Cops in the back seat tossing shopping baskets aside. Ignored my tearful wife's requests to please tone it down and DON'T SCARE THE BABY. Ignored. Mama. Endesha gari.

Accidents happen. Loaded firearms. Small children. Pregnant ladies who are tearful and clearly upset. Overzealous law enforcement.

I arrive at the station. Mrs G is visibly distressed, cradling 23 month old daughter. Sitting in the senior cop's office. No, we could not take the child home. Officers from originating station on the way.

Okay, take the baby home. Rudi na logbook!!

Angry but thankful at the same time.

Mrs was ordered to remain at the station.

Boss cop exits for lunch.

Minion cops. Laughing. Pole mzee. Si unaona ako salama?

You POINTED LOADED FIREARMS AT MY PREGANT WIFE AND BABY DAUGHTER.

I remain calm. I just want to sort this shit out. Cops from originating station still haven't arrived. 30 mins and counting.

Tumetafuta hii gari muda mrefu sana. Lakini tumeiona ikipita hapa at least 3 times kila siku.

Geniuses. Read the first line again and tell me how we entrust our lives and safety to people who utilise such logic and then verbalize their lack of basic common sense.

The first cops in November 2017 found me using my cellphone location. Why didn't they look for me again in the same manner?

Why did they have to mobilize such resources, manpower and munitions? There is minimal tint on the windows. Occupants could clearly be seen.

Mrs was interrogated. How often do we take the vehicle to the garage for routine maintenance? How many hours is it left there? Could the mechanic have used it to commit the house-breaking? What other vehicles do you own?

Too much TV I think.

Meanwhile I take the child home and get the log book. Rush back to the station. Boss cop isn't there. Wait. Officers from originating station on the way. Took a soda for the Mrs. Her blood pressure is up. She is visibly upset and keeps touching her baby bump. Pain.

Cops from originating station finally arrive.

Same officer who visited me in Nov 2017. Warm greetings exchanged.

Nilifikiri hii maneno iliisha!! Kwani they didn't de-circulate hio gari?

Doesn't look like it, does it?

I keep calm. I just want this shit to be over.

Mrs doesn't drink much of her soda because she just wants to get home to the kids.

Lady cop from originating station: "who told her she could leave?"

Other officers pleaded with her to let Mrs go home.

Ako mja mzito, tafadhali wacha aende. Besides, I am also a reg. owner.

FFS why didn't they think about that when firearms were cocked and pointed at her?

Mrs was allowed to go home. I am now at the originating station waiting for the boss cop of this place. He seems to be a really busy gentleman so I've had to wait for quite a while to see him.

I have no choice but to remain very calm and very patient. I have no choice but to wait for the gentleman who seems to be the only person with the authority to de-circulate this vehicle.

9 confiscated sheeshas behind the main desk. Kweli. Kazi ya maana.

Large printout of the 10 commandments on the wall leading to the cells. Let's see this.

1. No other gods. Not covered in KE law.
2. No graven images. Not covered in KE law.
3. Don't misuse God's name. Let us prey. Not covered in KE law.
4. Keep the Sabbath. Not illegal.
5. Honour father and mother. Not illegal.
6. Don't murder. It's the law.

7. Adultery is not illegal.
8. Don't steal. Along with number 6 is IS illegal.
9. Don't give false testimony. Illegal? Depends.
10. Don't be jealous. Not illegal.

Boss cop just walked past me. He knows who I am and why I am here to see him. People who arrived after me are ushered into his office. I am calm.

Just enquired at the other station and I am told that there is a confirmed report as well as in the OB that the vehicle was indeed de-circulated, and that this was acknowledged by the originating station.

Mrs is now getting worried. I am still waiting for this matter to be resolved. I am not under arrest but I can't leave because this vehicle is still "being looked for"

Senior cop asks if I have been assisted.

No. Not yet.

I am very calm.

@Rotary you have a sticker on the wall of a police station here in Nairobi. Why on earth?

Crapload of mosquitoes in this place. Yo @Rotary. Buy these guys some mosquito chips.

Recap. My pregnant wife and child "apprehended" at gunpoint. Approx 12.40pm.
Wife phones me 12.44pm.
I am now at the originating police station. 5.34pm. Finally being "assisted"

I have calmly registered my displeasure and concern about the manner in which this matter was handled today. The OCS has noted my concerns and is taking steps to de-circulate the vehicle.

There is someone else who is in charge of de-circulating the vehicle. I am told I have to wait for him. Be calm. Be patient. Just go home I am told. Your family needs you at home I am told.

This saga was caused because of an omission. Someone didn't do their job in November 2017. It led to this.

But just be patient. We want you to get home safely. I am told.

Perhaps the new uniforms will help. 😶

Still waiting but patience starting to wear thin. The lady officer who does this is loudly chewing gum and wandering around.

I was just summoned. I was hissed at. Kama mimi ni mbwa. Gum is being chewed loudly. Procedure almost done.

Finally done.
I was told: Now you are safe.

Insha-Allah madam.

Arrived home in one piece and bila any bulletholes.

Mrs tells me that the conversation at the police station was that it's lucky that she was a lady driver. Mwanaume angepigwa risasi.

This morning I filed a report with Internal Affairs. I await the results of their investigation. This should never be allowed to happen to anybody.

Thank you to everybody who have given us immense support and encouragement. We hope to keep the momentum going on this matter until it is properly resolved and officers are held accountable.

Hopefully they will finally put a stop to the number plate cloning syndicate.