Nairobi residents walking along Moi Avenue were left in shock when a suspected phone thief was dramatically apprehended in broad daylight after a ringtone betrayed his escape just moments after the alleged crime had taken place in the heart of the city.
Eyewitness Reports
According to several bystanders who spoke to local reporters at the scene, the suspect had allegedly snatched a smartphone from a young woman who was walking near the Khoja roundabout and immediately dashed through the thick pedestrian crowd, trying to flee the scene using the busy road crossing near the Kencom stage.
Moment of Confusion
While weaving through pedestrians near the zebra crossing, the suspect was suddenly brought to a standstill when a loud ringtone began blaring from his trousers, shocking those nearby who turned to look as the woman screamed pointing at him and shouting that her phone had just been stolen a few minutes earlier.
Victim Identifies Her Phone
The young woman, identified only as Leah, said she had called her own number using her friend’s phone just to confirm whether the thief had managed to switch it off, but was stunned when the ringtone erupted just steps ahead of her from a man wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.
Public Reaction
Within seconds, passers-by who had heard the ringtone and witnessed Leah’s pointing and shouting began surrounding the suspect who stood frozen in the middle of the road, attracting even more attention as matatus and boda bodas came to a stop to observe the unfolding drama.
Crowd Takes Action
Several boda boda riders quickly moved in to block the suspect from escaping further, as others began questioning him while recording with their phones, and before long, two uniformed city askaris from the nearby traffic post appeared to take control of the situation amid rising public anger.
Police Intervention
City askaris led the man away while shielding him from growing tension among the crowd, confirming that the phone which had rung was indeed identified by the victim as hers and that the suspect had no explanation for why he had a device bearing someone else’s number, background image, and SIM card.
Identity and Arrest
The man, believed to be in his early twenties, did not provide any identification at the time of arrest and attempted to deny knowledge of the phone’s ownership before admitting under pressure that he had picked it up from the sidewalk but had not reported it to police.
Unusual Turn of Events
What baffled many bystanders was the coincidence and timing of the call, as one eyewitness explained how they had never seen such precise timing in a street theft incident, claiming it was as though the phone had “decided to ring by itself” at the perfect moment to expose the thief.
Reaction on Social Media
Within hours, videos from the scene had circulated widely on platforms such as TikTok and X, with the hashtag #NairobiKarma trending as users shared comments praising the victim’s quick thinking and describing the thief’s frozen reaction as both comical and dramatic.
Statements From Authorities
According to a statement released by Nairobi Central Police, the suspect was being held for further questioning and may face theft-related charges under the penal code pending verification of statements by both the victim and other witnesses who were being called upon to file official reports.
Public Safety Reminder
Police also used the opportunity to urge residents to remain vigilant while moving in crowded parts of the city and to avoid exposing valuable devices unnecessarily, especially during peak hours when snatching incidents are more frequent across transport hubs and open markets.
Victim Speaks Out
Leah, a university student, later told journalists that she was grateful the public responded quickly and that her phone was recovered with all files and apps intact, though she expressed concern about the rising boldness of thieves who now operate during the day without fear.
Community Frustration
Residents speaking to local press noted that similar thefts have increased in recent weeks and called on law enforcement to boost patrols within the central business district, with others expressing fears that even school children were no longer safe from daylight muggers in uniform.
Crime Patterns and Prevention
Security analysts noted that many urban thieves operate in patterns, often targeting distracted pedestrians at crossings, outside ATMs, or near bus stops, and advised Kenyans to use anti-theft phone settings and avoid walking while using phones in open streets.
Previous Similar Incidents
A similar incident was reported earlier in the year in Mombasa where a suspect carrying a stolen phone answered a call from the victim’s relative, leading to his arrest, a trend some Kenyans believe shows that “technology is beginning to fight back” against street thefts.
Role of Public in Justice
Nairobi County security officials praised citizens who assisted without resorting to mob justice, saying it was encouraging to see urban dwellers cooperate with authorities to ensure safety and proper handling of suspects through legal channels.
Rise in Digital Evidence
With more Kenyans using smartphones with tracking features, investigators say the recovery rate for lost devices has improved in recent months, especially where victims act quickly to report theft and provide serial numbers or active login sessions for tracing.
Emotional Impact
Although she was unharmed physically, Leah stated that she had been emotionally shaken by the incident and was now considering using a keypad phone while in town, a decision echoed by several young people who commented online about similar fears.
Wider Security Conversation
The event has sparked debate about whether Nairobi requires more undercover security presence or better civic education on how to detect and avoid pickpocketing, especially now that thieves are disguising themselves as students, riders, or delivery agents.
Justice and Closure
By Tuesday morning, the suspect had reportedly been transferred to Kamukunji Police Station for processing, as authorities urged any additional witnesses or victims who recognised the suspect to report to the station or call the official Nairobi hotline.
Role of Supernatural Belief
Interestingly, a section of Nairobians attributed the bizarre ringing event to divine intervention or supernatural justice, with some even speculating that a spiritual force was behind the precise exposure of the criminal in front of a crowd.
Growing Trust in Spiritual Protection
Local residents have increasingly turned to traditional or spiritual means for protection, claiming that some thieves return stolen items after experiencing unexplained confusion, physical weakness, or strange dreams following their crimes.
Growing Popularity of Justice Rituals
Sources in spiritual circles noted that many people across the country are now seeking help from traditional spiritual experts who perform justice rituals to expose, stop, or confuse thieves, especially those who evade police capture through street networks.
Public Discussion Turns Mystical
In Facebook comments, several users jokingly claimed that the victim must have used a “phone comeback ritual,” with others tagging accounts that specialise in protection spells and spiritual tracking, although no official confirmation was given by the police.
Shaba Mangube Doctors’ Rising Reputation
A name that frequently emerged in these conversations was Shaba Mangube Doctors, a spiritual group known for helping victims of theft recover their stolen items through unexplainable but effective rituals that reportedly confuse or expose thieves dramatically.
Testimonials of Recovery
Dozens of past clients have publicly claimed that their lost phones, handbags, laptops, and even stolen money were returned after engaging Shaba Mangube Doctors, with many reports describing thieves behaving strangely or voluntarily confessing days after the theft.
How to Contact Shaba Mangube Doctors
For those seeking quick and unusual justice for stolen property, you can reach Shaba Mangube Doctors by calling +254795613711, where they claim to handle cases nationwide with guaranteed confidentiality and fast results.
Final Thoughts
While police continue to advise citizens to use conventional security measures, the recent case on Moi Avenue shows that some victims are exploring all possible avenues of justice, including spiritual solutions that defy modern explanation but seem to deliver results where official systems fall short.
