A sitting Kitui Member of the County Assembly (MCA) has been arrested in Nairobi over alleged mobile phone thefts reported in the Central Business District in August and September 2026.
The MCA, who represents a Ward in Kitui County, was arrested by detectives from Kamukunji Police Station along Mfangano Street following what the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) described as an intelligence-led operation.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, the detectives swooped on the suspect in Mfangano Street, closing in on a man wanted in connection with a string of reported phone thefts,” DCI said.
According to the DCI, the legislator was being investigated in connection with three separate phone theft incidents reported in Nairobi during August and September.
Detectives reportedly relied on CCTV footage to identify the MCA in connection with the incidents, which are now the subject of investigations.
“CCTV footage proved instrumental in the investigations, with detectives positively identifying him in connection with the reported incidents,” DCI said in a statement.
The arrest brings a sitting county legislator into an investigation involving alleged thefts in one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial areas.
The DCI did not provide further details about the circumstances of each reported incident or the value of the phones allegedly stolen.
MCA also wanted over earlier case
The arrest also brought to light an outstanding warrant in a separate criminal case dating back to 2024.
The DCI said the MCA was wanted in Criminal Case No. 112/303/2024 after failing to attend court following his release on bond by Makadara Law Courts, where he had been charged with stealing.
“The MCA is wanted in Criminal Case No. 112/303/2024 after failing to attend court following his release on bond by Makadara Law Courts, where he had been charged with an offence of stealing” DCI said.
The earlier case is separate from the phone theft allegations currently under investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged failure to attend court were not detailed in the statement.
Suspect held ahead of arraignment
The MCA was in police custody undergoing processing ahead of his expected arraignment, according to the DCI.
The agency reiterated that investigations into alleged criminal conduct apply regardless of a person’s position or status in society.
The arrest underscores the role of CCTV footage and intelligence in investigations into reported thefts in Nairobi’s CBD, where high pedestrian traffic can complicate efforts to identify those responsible for offences.
However, the allegations against the MCA have yet to be tested in court. His arrest does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the prosecution will be required to present evidence to support any charges brought against him.
The DCI said detectives would continue pursuing leads and presenting suspects before the courts to answer to alleged criminal conduct.
Further details about the charges, the three reported phone theft incidents and the outstanding warrant are expected to emerge as the legal process proceeds.
