Fresh phone-theft probe lands Kitui MCA Cyrus Musyoka in custody

By  Hilary Kimuyu

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

• In 2024, Mr Musyoka was linked to the alleged theft of mobile phones valued at Sh347,730 from the parcel office of Kinatwa Prestige Matatu Sacco.
• In June 2025, Mr Musyoka was arrested over alleged theft of mobile phone accessories valued at approximately Sh1.9 million from Buscar Courier Services.

Kitui MCA Cyrus Kisavi Musyoka, also known as Daniel Mulei wa Mathina, has been arrested again in Nairobi over a series of alleged mobile phone thefts, bringing renewed attention to a string of criminal investigations and court proceedings involving the elected ward representative.

The sitting MCA for Ikanga/Kyatune Ward in Kitui County was arrested along Mfangano Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Friday, October 23, 2026, following investigations into three separate phone-theft incidents reported in August and September, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Detectives reportedly used CCTV footage to identify him in connection with the incidents.

“The arrest also brought to light an outstanding warrant in a separate theft case before the Makadara Law Courts, where the MCA had previously been charged and released on bond but allegedly failed to attend court as required,” the statement read in part.

The outstanding warrant relates to a case in which he had been charged with stealing, the agency said.

“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,” the DCI added.

The latest arrest adds to a series of legal troubles involving the MCA, including allegations relating to stolen mobile phones and accessories and a disputed Sh2.2 million motor vehicle reimbursement claim involving the Kitui County Assembly.

In 2024, Mr Musyoka was linked to the alleged theft of mobile phones valued at Sh347,730 from the parcel office of Kinatwa Prestige Matatu Sacco near Afya Centre in Nairobi, where he was rescued from a lynch mob after members of the public allegedly identified him as a pickpocket suspected of a series of thefts in the area.

He was rushed to MSF Hospital along Juja Road, where he identified himself as Daniel Mulei Mathina. However, one of the police officers who rescued him identified him and remembered that he had previously taken him to the Makadara Law Courts.

MCA's legal troubles

Investigators suspected that details on a parcel destined for a client in Matuu, Machakos County, had been altered to facilitate the collection of the consignment by another person.

The MCA was subsequently charged alongside three other people in connection with the alleged theft. He was released on Sh40,000 cash bail but later failed to attend court, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant on November 25, 2024.

In June 2025, Mr Musyoka was again arrested over the alleged theft of mobile phone accessories valued at approximately Sh1.9 million from Buscar Courier Services along River Road in Nairobi.

The consignment, which was reported missing on February 8, 2025, was destined for a client in Mombasa. Investigators said CCTV footage captured a suspect leaving with the parcel, prompting detectives to pursue the matter.

“The arrest followed a positive identification after CCTV footage of the scene was analysed, which recorded the suspect leaving with the parcel destined for a Buscar Courier Services client in Mombasa,” the DCI said in a statement at the time.

Mr Musyoka was also arrested in February 2025 over allegations that he presented false documents to the Kitui County Assembly in a claim for Sh2.2 million in motor vehicle reimbursement.

He appeared before the Kitui Law Courts on February 21, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to charges that included forgery, uttering false documents and making a false claim by a person involved in public service.

The MCA was charged with five counts, including conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining the registration of a motor vehicle by false pretences and forgery of a valuation report, contrary to the Penal Code.

Other charges included uttering false documents and making a false claim by a person involved in the public service, contrary to Sections 353 and 100, as read with Section 102A of the Penal Code, respectively.

The court granted him a bond of Sh500, 000 or cash bail of the same amount. His cases are still pending in court.

The latest arrest is expected to bring renewed scrutiny to the cases, although each allegation must be determined on its own evidence and through the judicial process.

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