It has now emerged that the two Somali minors who were arrested for desecrating the Kenyan flag during a football match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi were in the country illegally.

The Milimani Children’s Court on Friday, September 26, directed that the two teenagers remain in custody until Wednesday, October 1.

The minors, aged 14 and 17, are facing charges of unlawful presence in the country, desecration of a national symbol, and creating a disturbance.

Senior Principal Magistrate Rose Gitau ordered that the pair be held at the Gigiri Children’s Protection Unit until their case is mentioned again on Wednesday. The two appeared before her at the Children’s Court on Friday, amid public outrage over their actions.

The minors did not enter a plea during the session, with the magistrate directing that a social inquiry report be presented to the court before they can respond to the charges on Wednesday.

Family members had sought to have the teenagers released into their care, but the court declined, noting that they were not the children’s biological parents.

The two were arrested after a video went viral on September 20, 2025, showing fans mishandling the Kenyan flag during the match between Mogadishu City Club and Kenya Police FC.

The footage sparked widespread outrage among Kenyans, with many calling for the swift arrest of those involved.

Their arrest came a day after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced that the National Police Service (NPS) was apprised of the incident, which rattled the whole of Kenya to its very core.

The police boss announced that NPS responded by launching investigations to track down those involved and ensure they face appropriate action.

“Desecration of national symbols is a serious offence, and those involved will face the full force of the law,” said IG Kanja during the 45th Jukwaa La Usalama security meeting in Wajir County on Wednesday, September 24, where Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was in attendance.

Murkomen stressed that the actions violated the National Flag, Emblems, and Names Act, which prohibits disrespect toward the Kenyan flag and other national symbols. He underscored the need to uphold the law to safeguard the dignity of these emblems.

Further, he cautioned that ignoring such incidents would weaken patriotism and create a dangerous example for future generations. He stressed the importance of raising children to respect national symbols and values, warning that acts like burning, trampling, or misusing the flag send harmful signals and cannot be tolerated.

He further reminded foreign nationals that living in Kenya is a privilege that carries strict responsibilities. “Being in Kenya is not a right. If you misuse that privilege by attacking our symbols of unity, you will face consequences,” Murkomen warned.

In reaction to the uproar, Mogadishu City Club released a public apology, disassociating itself from the conduct of its supporters.

Somalia’s envoy to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, released a statement denouncing the flag desecration, stressing that the act in no way reflects Somalia’s values or national interests.