The Farasi game, also called Pata Potea, is a well-known con game that has been running in the streets of Nairobi for years.
This scam is common in busy areas like Gikomba, River Road, and downtown Nairobi, where crowds are easily drawn.
The name Farasi is derived from the Swahili word for “horse,” representing a key element in the con—usually a horse image or card among a set of items like bottles or matchboxes.
Participants are lured into a seemingly simple guessing game, where they must pick the correct position of the horse or a hidden object.
The game appears straightforward: the conmen shuffle the items quickly, asking you to guess where the Farasi (or winning item) is.
To make it more enticing, the organizers use accomplices posing as successful participants who cheerfully “win” and show off their cash rewards.
This tactic convinces onlookers that it’s easy to win, leading them to take part.
Once you show interest, the conmen start by letting you win small amounts, gaining your trust before they ask you to stake larger sums like Ksh10,000 for a promised bigger reward.
The game is a well-orchestrated trap. As you stake more money, the conmen control the outcome.
They may skillfully switch the items using tricks you can’t notice or distract you to mislead your choice.
What’s worse is that the group’s pressure and psychological manipulation, often reinforced with charms or substances that allegedly cloud judgment, make it hard to back out.
Victims have been known to willingly hand over large sums or even visit ATMs to withdraw money, all under the illusion that they’re close to winning.
In reality, the con is set up so that you always lose, no matter how confident you feel about your choice.
Additionally, the Farasi game operates in plain sight, yet it’s challenging for law enforcement to crack down on it.
The conmen work in teams with lookouts who warn them of approaching police, allowing them to scatter quickly when needed. When authorities do catch on, the game merely shifts to a new location.
The resilience and mobility of this scam make it a persistent menace on Nairobi’s streets, especially for those unfamiliar with the scheme.
Even with awareness campaigns, many people still fall victim to the lure of easy money, only to end up losing significant amounts instead.
