The law is an ass, they say. That, there are millions of innocent people behind bars around the world simply because the judges refused to use common sense, is not in dispute.
In the same vein, hundreds of Kenyans are languishing in jail due to a ridiculous justice system.
Many were trapped in criminal cases they knew absolutely zilch about other than being in possession of stolen property, particularly smartphones.
Recently, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) warned Kenyans against buying electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops, from the black market.
This is because it’s possible to buy a second-hand phone that had been stolen from a shop, or worse, a victim of robbery with violence, resulting in a murder trial.
“The public is hereby warned never to buy any electronic gadget from an individual who has no fixed physical address. Always insist on the issuance of a receipt clearly itemising the particulars of the gadget. It is risky to buy any device from suspicious outlets. Most are those who buy stolen items from gangsters who have violently robbed innocent Kenyans,” the DCI warned.
“Don’t buy a device of a murdered Kenyan. When police forensically investigate and find you in possession of such a device, by the time it is established that you were not involved in the crime, you may have suffered immensely.”
Due to their ‘peculiar’ nature, Kenyans often embrace quick deals in a bid to save a few coins. Unbeknown to many, once caught with stolen property, you suffer consequences of the actual criminal, which may lead to a death sentence.
Well, a man from Voi has found himself in trouble after buying a second hand phone from a seller on Jiji.
According to a report shared by a Twitter user identified as @cfcollins, his friend bought the phone on 2oth February 2023, and was delivered to him in Voi after MPesa payment.
Later on, he was conducted by DCI officers who arrested him for having stolen phone.
“My friend bought a used phone from #jijikenya on the 20th of February 2023, a xiaomi note 9 Pro. He had the phone delivered to him while he was in voi, he paid the vendor using mpesa, the transaction is below.
On Sunday morning someone called him telling him there was a job alikua akuje ampimie. Monday he went ampee quotation. He went there asubui around 8am not knowing that it was @DCI_Kenya officers calling him in regards to the phone he bought, and that the phone was stolen from someone.
He explained to the cops on how he bought phone and showed them transactions and the numbers he got from the website to get intouch with the sellers. He was however still arrested and case pinned on him.”
The guy has been remanded in Industrial Area Prisons after failing to raise cash bail of Sh. 50,000.
“So guys im trying to raise his cash bail because he had nothing at the time of his arrest. Please if there is anyway you can help raise the amount. Kindly send any amount to 9029701. Retweet widely someone who can help maybe on your tl.”
My friend bought a used phone from #jijikenya on the 20th of February 2023, a xiaomi note 9 Pro. He had the phone delivered to him while he was in voi, he paid the vendor using mpesa, the transaction is below. pic.twitter.com/lvmWmGt3Nf
— Ted (@cfccollins) April 18, 2023
Jiji responds to the reports
Jiji was forced to issue a statement, saying:
“At Jiji, you can buy products from people close to you. To find out whether this product is new or used, please contact the seller directly. They’ll provide you with all the details. We have a large number of both brand-new & used goods from any category
“We take our customer’s security seriously, therefore before anyone posts an ad on our platform, we require them to upload their original IDs for verification purposes.”
