Detectives have arrested one of the
youths captured on camera desecrating the Kenyan national flag. The man was
arrested in the city, with police expressing hope of apprehending more suspects.
He was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further
questioning and profiling.
Director of DCI Mohamed Amin confirmed the arrest, saying more suspects are expected to be apprehended.
“What they did was wrong. We expect to make more arrests,” he said.
Teams have already been dispatched to track down the remaining suspects.
The investigation was launched after a
video circulated showing a group of youths desecrating the Kenyan flag during
last weekend’s CAF Champions League clash between Kenya Police FC and Mogadishu
City FC in Nairobi.
This followed Interior Cabinet
Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s directive to arrest, prosecute, and deport the
culprits if they are foreigners. Murkomen described the incident, which was
widely shared online, as unfortunate, noting that the suspects are believed to
be non-Kenyans.
The viral clips, showing the flag
being stomped on and kicked around, sparked public outrage and official
condemnation. Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, also
denounced the acts.
In the videos, two Mogadishu City FC fans are seen mocking the Kenyan flag.
One spreads it on the ground and kicks
it into the air, while another grabs it mid-flight, rubbing it against his
crotch as they burst into laughter. In another clip, a Mogadishu fan in a
traditional Somali sarong is seen snatching a Kenyan flag from a Kenya Police
FC supporter and tossing it to the ground.
The incident triggered immediate
outrage both at the stadium and across social media, with many Kenyans calling
it a blatant act of disrespect.
Murkomen, while presiding over the Jukwaa
la Usalama Forum in Wajir, called for swift action. “We don’t allow anyone,
whether Kenyan or foreigner, to play with our freedom and our symbols of
national unity, including our national flag. So, IG, take the necessary legal
action. Let the law take its course. As the Ministry of Interior, we must show
the world that we take our national flag seriously,” he said.
Inspector General of Police Douglas
Kanja confirmed the matter is under investigation. “I have already directed the
DCI to ensure the suspect stepping on the flag that was fought for is arrested
and action taken. The DCI is under direct instructions to move with speed and
efficiency to ensure the suspect is brought before court. The flag must be
respected,” said Kanja.
According to the law, “A person who
shows disrespect, in speech, manner, or writing, to the flag shall be guilty of
an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.”
Murkomen warned that Kenya will not
be lenient with foreign nationals who disrespect its sovereignty. “Being in
Kenya is a privilege, and when you play around with our instruments of national
unity, you lose the privilege to live in our country,” he said.
Ambassador Abdulle described the
acts as regrettable and confirmed investigations are underway for possible
action. “Let me state clearly that we regret and firmly condemn the actions of
a few individuals whose behaviour has overshadowed the remarkable performances
of both teams,” he said.
Police said they are pursuing leads
on the whereabouts of the remaining suspects for arrest and questioning.
