Five Young Suspects Arrested After Eight Phones Were Stolen At Jacaranda Rally In Nairobi

Police in Nairobi, Kenya, have arrested five suspects accused of stealing mobile phones from members of the public during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rally held at Jacaranda Grounds.

The arrests were made on Saturday evening, October 31, 2026, following an operation by police officers from Starehe Sub-County after reports emerged that some individuals were taking advantage of the large gathering to steal from unsuspecting attendees.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), officers conducted a search on the five suspects during the operation and recovered eight mobile phones believed to have been stolen from people attending the political gathering.

The recovered devices were subsequently secured as exhibits as investigations continued into the alleged thefts.

The five suspects were taken into police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court.

Pictures of the arrested individuals circulating alongside reports of the incident have attracted attention, particularly because of their youthful appearance. Their appearance has also raised conversations about the involvement of young people in criminal activities.

However, the police have not publicly disclosed their ages or identities, and the allegations against them are yet to be determined by a court.

In a statement following the arrests, the National Police Service warned individuals and criminal groups against using political rallies as opportunities to target members of the public.

The service stressed that political gatherings should not become platforms for stealing, harassing or intimidating attendees.

Police further reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order during lawful public events and urged Kenyans to remain vigilant whenever they attend large gatherings.

The incident occurred during an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, which attracted thousands of supporters and several senior party officials.

The gathering, organised as part of activities commemorating the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, reportedly descended into confusion after confrontations disrupted proceedings.

The situation forced some attendees and political leaders to move away from the main stage as tensions escalated.

The arrests have added another dimension to the incident, with authorities now dealing with allegations of theft alongside the disruption that occurred during the political gathering.