Two Somali teenagers captured in a viral video allegedly desecrating the Kenyan flag at Nyayo Stadium were detained at the Gigiri Child Protection Unit pending a social inquiry report.
The minors, aged 14 and 17, were filmed on Saturday, September 20, 2025, during a football match between Mogadishu City Club and Police FC.
They were later arrested and arraigned on Friday, September 26, 2025, before Senior Resident Magistrate Rose Gitau at the Milimani law court.
The prosecution sought to have them detained a the Youth Corrective Training Centre (YCTC) at Kamiti Prison pending age assessment.
However, their lawyer, Ishmael Nyaribo, vehemently opposed the request, insisting that the facility was unsuitable for children.
“These are young people visiting their relatives. They are not criminals. It would be against the Children Act to send them to such an environment,” Nyaribo told the court.
He urged the court to release the minors to their guardians, who were present in court, or place them in more suitable facilities such as Gigiri Police Station or a mosque centre.
The prosecution, however, opposed their release, arguing that the allegations were serious and that keeping the teenagers in custody was in their best interest.
“The request to have them released to their guardians Is opposed because they are suspected of having committed serious criminal offences and so having them in custody will be in their best interest,” said the Prosecution
Magistrate Gitau ordered the minors’ passports deposited in court and directed that a social inquiry report be filed within four days.
In the meantime, the children will remain at the Gigiri Child Protection Unit.
The case will be mentioned on Thursday, October 2, 2025, for a preliminary inquiry.
“Matter to be mentioned before duty court for a preliminary inquiry On Thursday 2nd October 2025. In the meantime Subjects in court be detained at gigiri children protection unit,” ruled Gitau.
Section 2B of The National Flag Emblem & Names Act, Cap 99 states that; Any person who shows disrespect, in speech, manner or writing, to or with reference to the National Anthem, or to any specified emblem, specified likeness or specified name, or any representation thereof, shall be guilty of an offence.
Teams had been dispatched to hunt for the wanted youths.
Detectives launched an investigation into a the video that showed 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.
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