Hey Marc.

Hey, I just got your text. What’s going on Pete?

Um…We have an issue, um. So we have a big situation on our hand.

Okay.

Yeah. Today afternoon, Santai sent a message to Steve.

How did he do that? Why did he do that? What did he send?

He sent a, he sent an M-Pesa to somebody’s phone. So that he can get, uh, he basically wanted to know Steve’s name.

Uh-huh.

And confirm his telephone number.

Okay.

So as you can imagine it’s opened up hell again. These guys have said we are not serious. We think, you know, because you know I gave them some cash last week. So they’re basically saying you guys think you’re clever? You guys think, you know, you’ve got us? You guys think we’re a joke? So they’re going to say they’re suspending everything. And we’re back to square one.

I don’t — Peter, I’m not following. I’m sorry. You have to, you have to, you have to start again. I’m so sorry. Can you — I don’t understand.

Okay. So today afternoon, Santai sent a message, some cash, M-Pesa, to Steve’s number.

Okay.

So he can get his full name and his telephone number, to confirm his telephone number.

Okay.

Yeah. So basically, he sent a small token amount, like a hundred shillings so that you know, um, what Safaricom give you the message that you sent it to, you know, Steve whatever his name is and then his number is this this this. So basically,Steve is like, “You guys are trapping me, this is a trap because, you know, you’re already gave me some cash last week, so this is basically a trap. You’re basically playing games. You’re basically trying to show us, me and my team, that you know, you’re gonna call the cops on us. So they have decided to stop everything, you know, to halt everything. And we’re almost done. By Tuesday we would have been, you know, good to go. So they said, everything stops until they are going to sit down and then decide what to do with us next.

Okay. I, I still don’t understand why is this? I don’t, I know the context, but what’s the, what’s the issue here and why is this a concern?

Marc. I mean, we’re just about to finish –

Yeah, I understand.

Yeah. You know, we’re just about to finish everything, you know. They have already taken of course a huge chunk of cash. So basically Santai, they know Santai obviously from the first interview they had about the Jodie thing. So basically, they think we’re going, uh, we are getting information on them to take to the police.

Okay.

Yeah.

And why did they think that?

Because Santai has used, you know, it’s a ruse, Santai has used a ruse to get the name of Steven and to get his telephone number.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

So basically, um, it looks like we’re back to square one.

Okay.

Yeah. [Inaudible.]

And, and…And the first issue was, I’m sorry, I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous to ask but I’m gonna ask anyways, so the first issue was on Jodie and that was the issue?

No no no no.

Why is it twice? What was the first area when they didn’t feel we were serious or whatever the issue was?

Ah yeah, yeah–you know, that whole, you know, the letter, using ME to WE to get Jodie the 3-month visa. So that was one of the interviews, they came and they had to meet Santai and Jodie.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah so they’re basically seeing it like, you know, we’re fighting them, and we’re entrapping them, because they know we’ve gone to the police, and we’re just confirming their names and telephone numbers. So they’re like, “Look, come for us.” They’re like, “Come, bring all the cops you want.” They’re so livid, they’re so mad. I see where they’re coming from honestly. Because another thing, you know, this is, you know, we have the police on our side now. So we’re, basically, you know, basically entrapping them.

Mm-hmm. Okay. Well, I don’t, Peter I don’t know what to say. I mean, obviously, I don’t think that’s the case. What do you need me to do, if anything?

Like first and foremost I don’t know what the fuck, I don’t know what the FUCK? I just don’t give a fuck why Santai did that? I don’t understand it. I just don’t understand it.

Did you, did you chat with him?

No, no because, you know, right now, honestly if I had a gun I’d shoot the motherfucker dead, right now.

Okay…

This is, you know, beyond laughing matter, it’s beyond, it’s not even you know, this is beyond serious. He’s jeopardizing so many livelihoods. He’s jeopardizing you. He’s jeopardizing me. He’s jeopardizing all the work you’ve done. I don’t know — is he acting alone? I have no fucking clue what he’s doing.

Mm-hmm.

I don’t know what he’s doing. And if–whoever is giving him advice–that motherfucker too. It’s gonna be bad for whoever is giving Santai advice.

Mm-hmm.

Go to whatever fucking thing he thinks he’s trying to do.

Mm-hmm.

It’s so bad. But these guys, I don’t know. I don’t know what the hell, if they meet tomorrow as a team, with his boss. This is it. It’s armageddon. It’s over.

Mm-hmm.

You know, it is–Marc I–I’m not very good with words but I’m trying to express to you how bad this is.

I understand.

So I just, I don’t know, if I see Santai, what’s going to happen. Honestly, I don’t know.

Okay. Pete maybe there was an error. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure. I don’t really know how these things work. So…

It’s not an error. Honestly, I could call my guys tonight and take care of this guy. I’m not even joking. He’s not going to jeopardize my life, your life, a lot of people’s lives.

Mmm-hmm. Okay, so Pete, how can I help?

So please, first and foremost, we need to fucking find out what the hell Santai is trying to do.

Mm-hmm.

Okay. Somehow–stating obviously, he’s not picking up my calls. So I’m calling my mediator to asking to please, first and foremost, not share any information. Hopefully, hopefully just praying to God that he hasn’t told his boss. Because if he has, and he’s such a motherfucker, it took us 8 hours to give him the first load of cash. 8 hours. Because he did not trust us. Obviously, because you know, they’ve probably been burned in the past. It took us 8 hours to give him the cash. Now, if it comes up, he hears about, it’s going to be like, “Fuck you, you’re going for a full audit. And not only full audit–full audit with fucking prejudice.” Every arm of this fucking government is going to come down hard on us, from tomorrow.

Okay.

There will be, there will be officers from every fucking conceivable government arm in this compound tomorrow.

Mmm. Okay. So Peter I, I I I I–I don’t–I sincerely didn’t understand. Now I have a better understanding, so…

Yeah.

So okay. I’m not sure what to say.

It’s bad. It’s bad. So, I’m going to obviously, you know, I’m going to call back the mediator asking, you know we’ve been chatting for the past hour and a half, two hours. Just try to calm him down. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully it’s not gone beyond [inaudible].

Mm-hmm.

Hopefully. Hopefully, Marc. Honestly, hopefully.

I obviously can’t, can’t comment on that. I understand what you’re saying.

Yeah, it has been, man. I don’t know. We’re fucked. We just have to wait for, you know, just have to wait for that fucking powerpoint tomorrow.

Okay, okay. I’m going to ask the question again, Peter. I understand. I totally hear it. How can I help?

I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe…Look, obviously, I don’t want to confirm or deny to Santai that you know, whatever you’re doing, you know, I don’t want. So, but he has to–hopefully, if these guys are not so–whatever, he has to fucking lay off, whatever he’s trying to do.

Mm-hmm.

He fucking has to lay off Steven. You know, he thinks he may have whatever on him. I dunno. I don’t know what he thinks he has on Steven, he has a name and number. So what? Head of compliance?

Yeah.

He can do whatever he fucking wants. Because, you know, he can do whatever he wants. So whatever he thinks he may have on Steve, if he wants to make a deal with Steve or take him to the cops or whatever he thinks he’s trying to do by sending that message that really really really reflects badly on us. Badly, badly.

Okay.

So I mean, he can always stand down from whichever fucking idea that has come to his mind or whoever he’s talking to, or whoever is giving him advice. Tell that motherfucker that is [inaudible]. Honestly, I swear to God... Anyway. So, yeah. So. He needs to fucking not get involved.

Mm-hmm…

In whatever he’s planned to do. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully tonight I’m really hoping and I’ll send you the message you’ll see the message for yourself. But I was really, really hoping that Steve has not told him…

Mm-hmm.

If he has, you know, I’m all out of cards to play cards. I’m all out of cards.Cause I know it’s not about the money for them. These guys take a lot of money from everyone. So for them this is, this is full prejudice. They’re gonna come at us full prejudice.

Okay. Okay. Okay, Pete. All right, I understand. I’m happy to be helpful where possible. I understand. Um. I’m assuming–do you want me to speak to Santai, or are you speaking to Santai. I’m not sure what you want me to do.

Marc, like honestly I cannot speak to Santai. I cannot right now. If I see the guy, honestly, if I see the guy, I don’t know how it’s gonna–Maybe tell him not to come to the office tomorrow, please? On my behalf.

Sure.

Yeah. Let him stay away. Yeah. He just needs to stay away right now.

Mm-hmm.

Hopefully these guys will believe, you know, we’re taking action. Worst case, he fucking will have to fly out of this country.

Mm-hmm.

Okay. But he needs to get ready for whatever, because right now, I don’t know what the hell they’re going to come back to us with. I’ve no idea. Are they gonna play ball? Who knows? Who knows?

Mm-hmm.

It was already so hard to convince [inaudable] them that you know, you see those guys? It’s not about the money, you know. Not just about the money, we will pay the money. But, you know, we obviously, we’re true to our word.

Mm-hmm.

If he’s hot about it, he’ll be like, “Those fuckers!” And I told him, and he’ll tell his people, that’s why it took eight hours and all over Nairobi to get them that money. He made us drive all over Nairobi. He’ll be like, “Look I told you, these fuckers are not to be trusted.”

Mm-hmm.

“Do a full audit, and then [inaudible]. Involve every conceivable arm of the government.”

Mm-hmm.

“Come down hard.”

Mm-hmm.

“Close the operations from tomorrow.”

‘Kay. Okay. So, Pete, I will happily call him. Um. At some point, you do need to talk to him because I don’t understand exactly all the circumstances. But I will ask him not to come to the office tomorrow. If there’s anything else I can do, sincerely, sincerely, I am happy to do, uh, I’m happy to be helpful.

Yeah. I don’t know who’s giving him advice, he thinks he’s like, smart. He’s actually a very fucking dummy. You know? Really fucking dummy, you know, pulling a move like this.

Mm-hmm.

To me it’s dumb. Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. If he wants to make a deal, for Jodie? You know? Worst timing ever possible.

Mm-hmm.

You know, whatever he thinks he’s trying to do with Steve? Dumb. Really, really stupid.

I totally understand what you’re saying. So, Pete, I, I understand. I don’t know what to say. I’m happy to be helpful. If you’re asking me to call Santai, of course I’m happy to call Santai.

Yeah. I mean, you know, I mean, one of the things he talked about finding was, can Jodie come back? You know, they were gonna give us an answer some time this week. Now? This obviously has put everything under water.

Mm-hmm.

You know, she’s probably never gonna ever, ever ever set foot in this country. So whatever he thinks he’s doing, you know? He has just put the final nail in the fucking coffin.

‘Kay. Okay Pete. I, I hear your, uh, uh, I hear what you’re saying.

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I can’t go [inaudible], no way. So, so close. You know?

Mm-hmm.

So close. Ah. I could smell it. You know, you saw the way he spoke to–he spoke to them like you know like little boys when they came to the office?

Mm-hmm.

I’ll disavow Santai from now on. Honestly, 100%, I’m disavowing him.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah. So if I need to put him under the bus, I swear, if it’s five fucking buses I’ll throw him under the five fucking buses.

Mm-hmm. Okay. Okay, Pete I understand you’re saying. I don’t know what to say. I totally understand what you’re saying.

Yeah. The worst case, the worst case–I’ll ask, I’ll ask them, so…We really need to show our hand, in terms of, you know, that we’re honest and we’ve been true to the word…

Mm-hmm.

That it’s a deal, you know, to not dishonour the deal. So worst-case, I dunno, I’ll ask them to hopefully you know arrange a quick meeting with you…

Mm-hmm.

So that they can hear from you that no, you know, we already handed over... We expect a deal. So you’ll also have to disavow, you’ll have to disavow Santai right now. We all come out of this clean.

Yeah. Yep.

He’s on a fishing expedition, I don’t know what the fuck he’s fishing for, like another fucking fishing for…

Yeah.

But you be like, you be like, “We don’t know him. He’s gone. Fuck he’s gone. He left.”

Mm-hmm. (deep breath). Okay.

I’m so sorry to call you.

No, no, no. Pete I’m…Appreciate the phone call. This is obviously mission-critical. So, I get it.

Yeah. Yeah. Mission-critical and also our lives are, right now, without… A bureaucrat has our lives in his hands, he can fucking do whatever he wants right now.

But Pete can I, can I just, I’m simply humbly seeking clarification on that. What what can they do?

First thing, they walked us through, [inaudible] walked us through what he does. So basically, they shut down — [Nairobi Governor Evans] Kidero and the other politicians and the NGO, the USAID NGO — they freeze accounts.

Mm-hmmm

ASAP. And then [inaudible] will also come with police.

Mm-hmm.

And then they get other government agencies involved. The [Kenya Revenue Authority], the main one. Central Bank. The criminal DCIO — Department of Criminal Investigation.

But on what basis?

On what basis? They have so many bases. So many. Oh gosh. They have so many. So many.

Kay. Okay.

Yeah, so many. First and foremost, the letter that Santai wrote. After clearly [inaudible] saying, you know, get the hell out of this country. You know, they’ll obviously bring in immigration, like how did this happen? You know, so immigration people will be involved.

Mm-hmm.

“How did she get a visa?” It was clearly stated, we gave her two visas. So she’ll have to leave.

Mm-hmm.

The fact that, you know, we’re running an NGO is not a, not a so-forth. And, um, you know, the member of the board is also the chairman? You know, that’s already, you know… They are all criminal offences, basically. That’s why they involve the DCIO.

Yeah.

Of course, another nail in the coffin, you know: they obviously alert the media.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Okay.

When I say gates of hell have been opened, you know. I’m actually literally using the word “hell.”

Mm-hmm.

I’m not trying to be. I’m not even trying to add on to whatever is not there. This is exactly the scenario that you know [inaudible]. Yeah.

Right. Okay, um, okay. Lots of deep breaths for everybody. Um, Peter, I’m happy to help any way I can. I understand what you’re saying. I don’t know what to say. I understand what you’re saying to me.

Yeah.

‘Kay, let me, um, first and foremost just call Santai to ensure that he doesn’t show up tomorrow, as you requested.

Yeah.

And then I’ll call you back.

Well, and me, I’m gonna call our mediator. Hopefully she has reached out to Steve and he’s taking his call but hopefully we’ll see… I‘ll call you back.

Okay. Thank you.

Okay.

‘Kay bye.