Over the past month, the relationship between the average Kenyan and the police has irreparably deteriorated, resulting in widespread mistrust due to numerous incidents of arbitrary arrests, abductions, kidnappings, and unlawful detentions.
As both parties sought innovative strategies to navigate their interactions, the country has witnessed a surge of creative tactics from either side. Kenyans are attempting to outsmart the police, while law enforcement has adapted its approaches to execute arrests, abductions, or kidnappings more effectively.
For weeks, online provocateurs have been ambushed in various locations, including their homes, hangout spots, workplaces, random streets, and even quiet hideouts in Kinoo.
Law enforcement authorities have succeeded in capturing their intended targets over ninety-eight percent of the time, resulting in a wave of “Free So-and-So” campaigns on social media.
Amidst all this, questions have arisen regarding the tactics used by the police and the ingenuity behind their ability to consistently track down nearly every individual on their radar.
“Hawa makarao wanajua aje mpaka kwa nyumba yako? How can they tell where you are at all times? How are they so successful in arresting people within a matter of hours? Who is leaking our locations?” someone asked on X.
While a conclusive answer to this intriguing situation remains elusive, some Kenyans now suspect that the police are hiding in plain sight. They have seamlessly blended into society, walking among us, engaging in conversations, and even retweeting our anti-government posts with a playful emoji.
As this realization sets in among the unsuspecting public, Kenyans have coined a new phrase to deter any covert actions by the police: “Afande Please.”
By using this phrase, Kenyans are essentially conveying, “I know who you are, I see what you’re trying to do, I understand your game… But not today, honey…”
The catchphrase “Afande Please” has gained such popularity that it has already appeared on the back of t-shirts and is rapidly becoming part of Nairobi’s vibrant street lexicon.
Kenyans are now politely— or sometimes not-so-politely— urging the police to back off, find other pursuits, seek different targets, or simply abandon their mission altogether.
“Ukiona mtu anaku text vitu random, ati, ‘where do you stay by the way’ or ‘niko kwenu, ama ulihama?’, just know that these are cops. Don’t stress. Just tell them,”Afande please… ” Gathoni Mwanza, a Kenyan on X, says.
Popular comedian Mwirigi has even created a viral skit that perfectly encapsulates the phrase. In the skit, Mwirigi finds himself in various scenarios where a stranger approaches him with suspicious questions. Recognizing the current atmosphere in the country, Mwirigi quickly senses that the stranger has ill intentions and responds, “Afande Please… Wachana na mimi. Watu wetu wananitegemea…”
X influencer Beverlyn Kwamboka also faced an ‘Afande Please’ response after tweeting, “Vile kuko hata nyinyi mnaona itabidi mtoke faceless, sasa incase, hiyo cartoon/gari ndio tutaunda nayo poster? Tokeni faceless jameni.”
Now, trick questions are being approached with extreme caution, as people are vigilant even around their closest friends and family, wary of exposing themselves and becoming the next victim of the rampant abductions plaguing the country.
“We are living in dangerous times. In this political climate , you cannot just divulge your private information to just anyone,” High Court advocate Gachie Mwanza says.
“Intelligence officers will do anything to nail you and track you down. They can even use your closest friend or office colleague. You just have to be wary of your surroundings and who you are interacting with.”
