Some of the hundreds of locals who turned up for the Daddy Owen Festival at Huruma Grounds in Eldoret town returned home without their mobile phones.
This is after the phones were stolen by pick-pockets, while others were snatched as they were taking photos of gospel musicians performing at the concert.
Multiple sources who spoke to Uasin Gishu News indicate that at least 100 mobile phones were stolen during the event.
“Some of the culprits snatched phones while people were taking selfies, it was hard to chase after them because of the huge crowd that had attended the festival. The number of the phones stolen could be around 200,” said a source that sought anonymity.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Ayub Ali confirmed reports of mobile phones theft during the event but said the actual number that was stolen could not be ascertained.
“Youths celebrated because of Daddy Owen Festival at Huruma grounds but in the evening, many lost their mobile phones. We cannot tell the actual number lost but so far, we have recovered two mobile phones and one person linked to the incident arrested,” Ali said in an interview at his office in Eldoret town.
“We have three reports of phone theft from the event recorded here at the police station,” he added.
Police officers are now tracing mobile phones that were stolen and victims reported the incident, with the hope more culprits will be apprehended.
The Daddy Owen Festival in Eldoret was part of the nationwide concerts that seek to promote peace and cohesion ahead of the 2022 general election.
Aside from Daddy Owen, the concert was also graced by performances from some of the popular Gospel musicians among them Moji, Rufftone, Timeless Noel, Ringtone, Size 8, and Guardian Angel, among others.
Some of the local artists who were also present include Lynn Bahati, Bismark, Linda Chepkosgey, Shekina Kigame, and Papa Tomaso.
[…] comes just days after over 100 mobile phones were stolen during the debut Daddy Owen Festival at Huruma […]