I've been living in Kenya between October and December 2012 and, despite being an amazing country with really lovely and friendly people, there are some people you can't trust:
1. Paul Ndetei (& Tope Africa)
Paul was the contact person of the NGO (Tope Africa) I contracted
to go to Kenya and volunteer. I was totally ripped off by Paul and Tope Africa
since I paid for a volunteering program that did not exist at all. I was
supposed to do a marine conservation program, but I arrived to Mombasa and
discovered that nothing was arranged, that Tope was not engaged in such
activities. Paul insisted me to buy and bring scuba diving equipment which I
didn't use. But the worst thing is that he repeatedly lied to me saying that
the project was totally arranged and everything prepared and did not accepted
that there was nothing until one month after I arrived. Then, he told me he
will refund me, but he never did so.
On top of the project setup fee, he took advantage from us (two
other volunteers and I) in several ways:
- took 60% comission on our housing fees. We were staying with
local hosts. He told us that the price would be between 100-150€ per month.
Once we arrived he said that the families asked for more money so final price
was 200€. One week after paying we discovered that the families only received
between 70 and 80€. For me the worst part is that he was taking advantage of
local people willing to help, since the 70-80€ Paul paid the families was too
short to cover our costs.
- took big commission from a trip to Massai Mara. He made us pay
big money for a 3 day trip to Masai Mara saying that everything was included
and it was an important part of our training. In three days he did not provide
food, just snacks and we slept in the ground of a guard's hut.
- asked for donations. Asked us to fundraise and get cell phones
and laptops from friends and family. I don't know what we he did with the
donations, he never replied when I asked for it. My guess is that he just sold
the phones.
Beware of him because he is an educated person (studied at
University of Bristol) and is very good at manipulating people.
Cellphone: 0724241230
He redirected us to the Brain Youth Group. This is a small
organization that does some mangrove reforestation activities and has a fish
pond as a way of self-employment. Only volunteer with them if you are interested
in these two projects, nothing else. I won't judge them, but I got very disappointed
with his founder, Abdullah Mubarack, because he just used me for my housing commission,
despite I offered myself to help in the webpage design or communication plan.
2. Rhama (aka. Captain Rhimes)
Captain Rhimes pretends to be a tour operator in coastal Kenya. He
is around 170-175 cm tall, with a wide face and dreadlocks. He lives in Mtwapa,
so he will likely be there, or around Mombasa (specially Bamburi beach). He
also often travels to Malindi, Watamu or Kisite.
He pretends to sell snorkel and diving tours. In my case, after
getting the deposit, just disappeared.
Cellphone at that time: 0720758070
3. Others
Corruption is a big issue in East Africa. Some policeman asked
bribes from us without any reason. In this case just play the nice role and
don't give them any reason to get a fine. We avoided most of the situations
without paying.
In the border, make sure you bring the exact amount to pay for
your visa (50$ or 40€, but better if you carry US$). In my case the officer
wanted to get a 10€ commission. When I complained, he threatened me to deny my
visa.
