Teen Arrested for Insulting National Flag at Nyayo Stadium

A photo of the two teenagers who are accused of desecrating the Kenyan flag on September 20,2025/photo/DCI/X

Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy accused of desecrating the Kenyan flag during a football match at Nyayo Stadium.

The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Haidar Yusuf, was among two individuals captured on video on September 20, 2025, during a match between Mogadishu City Club and Police FC. The footage showed them disrespecting the national flag, sparking outrage and prompting investigations.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed Yusuf’s arrest, noting that efforts are underway to trace the second suspect, who is believed to still be in the country.

According to Section 2B of the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act, Cap 99, anyone who shows disrespect to the national flag, anthem or other specified emblems commits an offence.

The probe began after a video circulated on social media showing a group of youths mishandling the Kenyan flag during last weekend’s CAF Champions League match between Kenya Police FC and Mogadishu City FC at Nyayo Stadium.

Clips from the game captured fans stomping, kicking, and tossing the flag, with one even rubbing it against his crotch as others laughed. In another scene, a supporter dressed in a Somali sarong grabbed a flag from a Police FC fan and threw it to the ground. The footage provoked outrage among Kenyans and drew sharp criticism online.

CS Kipchumba Murkomen termed the act “regrettable” and ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved, warning that foreigners found culpable would also face deportation.

“We cannot allow anyone, whether citizen or not, to insult our freedom and symbols of unity,” he said during a security forum in Wajir.

Somalia’s envoy to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, also condemned the incident, distancing his country from the actions of the fans.

Kenya’s National Flag, Emblems and Names Act, Cap 99, criminalises showing disrespect to the flag, anthem, or any national emblem, with offenders liable to a fine or up to six months in jail.

Murkomen cautioned that Kenya would deal firmly with offenders. “Being in Kenya is a privilege. When you mock our national symbols, you risk losing that privilege,” he said.