Epic International encounters

[Timona 4,208]

Prelude links: I am lazy to re - write the same story

 

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After reading the above. You can now join the below:

 

Some part I omitted:

The 7-to-8-hour trip had to involve crossing the border. My dad’s part of the family had relocated from one ancestral home to another across the border. This is also why my mom and I had to change transportation (in my previous post). So, while at the border, I was just filming as the cab passes by. Then I see some border officer come and grab my phone and then they go ahead an impound the car. He literary grabbed my phone and took off with it. He later told us taking pictures/videos is illegal. Lies. Tourist vehicles were there taking pictures. They would not dare try that on foreign tourists unless they want to start a war with foreign governments. Kenyan cops are lawless and rowdy. Anyway, I get thrown at the report desk while the guy who grabbed my phone goes around and calls others (intentionally to make a mountain out of an anthill). You know where this is going to. So, they ask me questions and why I am taking pictures. I calmly tell them it is for my wife and I can prove this. They ask where she is at. I answer, Texas. That is where I(removed) up. No sooner did they hear that than their eyes brightened. So, they leave and go talk to my mom as they are not getting anywhere, bribe-wise, with me. After 20 or so minutes, my mom comes to talk to me. She tells me she has come to “agreement” for my release, but we will have to part with $100. Apparently, they wanted $200 but my mom bargained. Well, I was sitting on $300 cold cash in my pocket (upkeep/ gift I was taking to my dad from my sisters here in the US). So, I agree to pay so that this drama ends. Here is where the CID cops (removed) up (by me getting his number as explained). Before I could reach into my pocket, they told my mom to transfer the money directly to them. So, I used the Send Wave app to transfer directly to one of the officers and in so doing, I got his number and when I later looked at WhatsApp, his profile picture. I stored these. Thank goodness I had not reached into my pocket to pay because had they seen the cold cash, that would have all gone (remember my mom just bargained outside with them). 

So, they take me to one of their room to “sign” my release papers. I ask for a copy. They tell me the printer is not working. How, yet you just printed the paper in front of me???? Okay, I ask to take a picture with my phone which has since been returned to me after we paid them $100. Negative. He says we do not have time to take a picture. Anyway, while signing the “release paper” I noticed it was a declaration of import form and not a release form. It was one of those forms where you declare your goods at the border. So, I knew these CID officers were up to no good. Therefore, though I wrote my real name, I intentionally wrote the wrong Kenyan ID number and wrong address on it. They never even cared to check that, yet they had my ID. They just wanted the money. Signing papers was all for show. Suddenly, while we are leaving this room, the CID officer who had initially grabbed my phone starts small talk (he has already been paid, remember). Apparently, he now hails from the next village, an hour away from my mom’s side of the family. He tells me that had he known that I speak the same local dialect and hail from the same locality as him, he would have “helped” me out of this mess without me parting with $100. Really, dude? You are the one who brought me in this mess. Anyway, we part ways and are on our way. It was then that I learnt that while they had left me at the receiving desk after hitting a wall, they came out and threw tantrums on my mom and the cab driver as that was the easiest avenue to get paid. Apparently, they wanted to deflate all the tires of the cab. Additionally, to add a strong case to their claim, I was a terrorist and one of the officers mentioned that he had seen my mom cross the border twice on foot and that she was probably surveying for her “terrorist son.” I wonder how a terrorist was let go after paying $100. Shouldn’t this have been a matter of national security?

I will provide a link to this “border video” once I find it. I know I have it somewhere

Bonus: At the end of my vacation, I came to learn that bus drivers partner with cops and share in the bribe. I fail to understand how they would just suddenly stop at a police-check and cannot just inform passengers to fasten seat belts. Passengers are arrested, harassed, part ways with $$. I am sure the drivers receive their share later. After paying the cops, they are let back in the bus.
Additionally, it was while at my vacation that I learnt how Kenyans come to US with a B-2 visa and immediately apply for asylum as soon as their foot is out of the airport. It was also here that I was told, candidly, how the “the cyber agent” story is cultivated to get a visa to the US.  I and may other have spoken about this in many threads here. So, I will cut that off this story.

I think I should write a novel at this point. Maybe I should team up with @Lucky Cat
 

The end. 

I am officially done with the internet for today.

Edited December 16, 2020 by Ontarkie
by-passing language filter

[Ontarkie 14,365]

~~Moved to Off Topic, from General Immigration Discussion. Post edited for language. DO not bypass the language filter or your account can be suspended~~

Edited December 16, 2020 by Ontarkie